Arts & Culture

Asher Roth’s Publicist Would Like You to Know He’s Not Gay

Rapper Asher Roth, who is mostly known for his hit single "I Love College," may support gay rights and attend Pride marches with Clay Aiken and Lady GaGa, but his publicist wants to make sure you know that he’s not … Read More

By / December 24, 2009

Rapper Asher Roth, who is mostly known for his hit single "I Love College," may support gay rights and attend Pride marches with Clay Aiken and Lady GaGa, but his publicist wants to make sure you know that he’s not gay himself and that he didn’t catch gay from hanging out with queers. Recently, rumors swirled that Roth was going to come out in a splashy exclusive interview with the E! channel. In a statement released by his "people," Roth said:

I hate to disappoint and take away the entertainment of it all but I am straight, not gay. It’s disheartening to know such “news” on someone’s personal life can be portrayed as fact with no viable source. This, to me, is an opportunity to expose our vulnerability to lies and manipulation through unprofessional and irresponsible news outlets, in which people consider TRUTH. Further, someone’s sexual orientation should NEVER be big news, as it delivers a troubling message to children that they can’t be themselves without fear of judgment. Race, creed, and sexual persuasion should not just be tolerated but understood and accepted. It’s extremely disappointing that this topic would be used with the intention of being hurtful. We are near 2010….2010!! Yet race, sex and religion still play a major role in a hate driven society. For the love of the future and humanity….let’s wake up.

He does have a point – which is that someone’s sexual orientation shouldn’t be "news," or, well, a big deal. That said, maybe a celebrity’s writing about speculation about his sexuality shouldn’t be news either. Eh, guess you can’t win ‘em all. 

  • Jason

    I fully agree with him. Unless you’re a hypocritical Republican politician who spends equal time on his knees in public bathrooms and decrying gay marriage on the campaign trail, the fact that you’re gay (or not) should not be news.

    Besides, my gaydar is near impeccable and Roth doesn’t even register a blip. What were people thinking? 

  • dahvid

    So, when a Joe Schmo’s(or a celebrity’s) sexual persuasion IS big news(or just news), that means they can’t be themselves without fear of judgment? Who’s  judging and who’s delivering "a troubling message to children" in all this? It seems we will be at a place of better understanding and acceptance when rumors of being gay do not warrant a publicist’s statement denying gayness with such clergical content and length. Hello, my name’s Asher Roth and I’m a heterosexual…period.