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FeedMeredith Baxter Comes Out as a Lesbian
Meredith Baxter, best known for her role as Elyse Keaton, on the ’80s television hit, Family Ties, chose to come out this morning on the Today Show with Matt Lauer, saying, “I’m a lesbian, and it was a later-in-life recognition of that fact.”
For the normally private Baxter, coming out on national television was a daunting prospect, “I have to admit to a certain level of anxiety. I'm a very private person, I've always lived a very private life and to come out and disclose stuff is really antithetical to who I am.”
Rumors began swirling around the actor when she was spotted and recognized by many of the passengers on a recent cruise with the lesbian travel company Sweet. While Baxter enjoyed the support, she also realized that if she was going to come out on her own terms she would have to do it quickly. Though a short, speculative story about her appearance on the Sweet cruise was published in the National Enquirer, the news did not hit the mainstream press until today.
“I don’t want to be worried all the time and there is some level of concern just because I am so private and I knew I was pushing it, and I guess I was taking the step thinking, OK let it happen,” admitted Baxter.
“But the truth was, I didn’t want some tabloid to take a story and make it up, so I wanted it to be in my own words,” she explained.
During the interview, Baxter, who described herself as “extraordinarily happy” told Lauer that she has been in a relationship for the past four years with contractor Nancy Locke, 54. “We live very out lives in Los Angeles.”
Baxter had been previously married three times, and is the mother to five children. It wasn’t until she became involved with a woman that she realized she was gay, “I got involved with someone I never expected to get involved with, and it was that kind of awakening, and I never fought it because it was like, Oh, I understand why I had the issues I had in early in my life…I had a great deal of difficulty connecting with men in relationships,” said Baxter.
Since Family Ties wrapped in 1989, Baxter has kept busy with several television movies and other TV appearances. Away from showbiz, she created a skincare line called Meredith Baxter Simple Works. Her company is dedicated to helping eradicate breast cancer and raises funds for the cause.
Watch the whole Today Show appearance here:
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Reader Comments:
I wrote a novel about a woman coming out late-in-life called Seeking Sara Summers. For these women it isn't about getting their 15 minutes of fame (a criticism of Meredith Baxter on another site), it's about getting a life. I think it takes a tremendous amount of courage to simply be who you are.
We love you Meredith! Thanks for coming out, and thanks for joining us on the Sweet Caribbean Cruise www.discoversweet.com.
Thank You Meredith for coming out and telling your story! I am very happy to hear some else did not come out till later in life. I too had been married 3 times and had 6 children but found myself in love with another woman and at the time it was also one of those eye opening Ah Ha moments. I finally understood so much of what had happened and what I felt earlier in my life.
Meredith,
I'm laughing so hard, right now, because when I watched family ties as a child (I'm almost 32 now), I had THE BIGGEST crush on Michael J. Fox - and even Justine Bateman, though I only spoke of Mr. Fox's ... um ... foxy-ness - but it never ocurred to me to crush on YOU. I "respected" the mom role too much, I guess - *rolls eyes and grins* Thank you for speaking out about who YOU are and thanks, especially, for the "political" comment. I am the same me I've always been, too, and I still respect you but in a much different way, now - and in a much greater capacity!
May the two of you and your children and families continue to live happy, peaceful lives!
Colleen Y.
You go girl. I came out at 35, 2 marriages, 4 children later and now at the age of 46, I have been in a wonderful relationship with my wife of 8 years. Yep we were married last year before they banned it. This is the greatest relationship I have ever had. You know how hard it was to come out later in life. I'm very proud of you Meredith. Hang in there!!!!!!!
I first want to say wow, I just found this magazine online and love it. I am in late thirties and have finally understand my past failed male relationships. But I am not knew to women.. I had my major ahhha moment when sepatated 3 years ago. I found my match. I had passion and complete openess sexually for first time in my life. Stupid me decided to go back to hubby because mg kids were having horrible time with separation. It was my biggest mistake. I have never loved my hubby.bee married only to have children. I had cancer previously and it decided to come back. Now oldest is 6 and twins are 4. I feel trapped and miserable when at home near him. We have never had a sexual marriage. He was my best guy friend and was in love w me. He knew about all my female past and excepted me. I knew he would be a good daddy which I never had. I thought my love would come for sure but never has. Even counselor said it would be cold day in hell first. I just need to feel that freedom again and not trapped. I am very femme but always found myself extremely attracted to butch. I am a very capable woman. Most men are intimidated because of it. I have to be the man and woman in marriage and with no sex with him for longer than I can remember.
Sites like this have been amazing for helping me to "normalize" because I have just come out a year ago at 39 after a 12 year unhappy marriage. Same story - never realized just what was going on with me until I fell in love with my best girl friend, and the awakening to the feelings of emotional and sexual love and joy has been quite intense and incredible. No one really knew because I am quite feminine - I think most people still think all lesbians are the stereotypical masculine looking types - so it is so great to see such beautiful women also being out. I feel more "normal" when I read stories like this - thanks Meridith, and all you other courageous ladies! :)