Rupert Everett: Gay parents? I can’t think of anything worse
Rupert Everett, star of the, St Trinians films, has been criticised by gay rights advocates for saying that he thinks only straight couples should have children.
The 53-year-old actor, who came out as gay in 1989, said in an interview with the Sunday Times, that his mother had met his boyfriend, but that she still thought he should marry a woman, and have children.
“She thinks children need a father and a mother and I agree with her,” he said. “I can’t think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads,” he said.
“Some people might not agree with that. Fine! That’s just my opinion.
“I’m not speaking on behalf of the gay community. In fact, I don’t feel like I’m part of any ‘community’.
“The only community I belong to is humanity and we’ve got too many children on the planet, so it’s good not to have more.”
Stonewall Chief Executive, Ben Summerskill, said: “Rupert should get out a little bit more to see the facts for himself.”
“There is absolutely no evidence that the kids of gay parents suffer in the way they are being brought up or in how they develop.”
In the interview, which also featured Mr Everett’s mother, Sara, 77, she said:
“In the past, I have said that I wish Rupert was straight and, I probably still feel that,” she said.
“I’d like him to have a pretty wife.“I’d like him to have children. He’s so good with children. He’d make a wonderful father.
“But I also think a child needs a mummy and a daddy. I’ve told him that and he takes it very well. He doesn’t get angry with me. He just smiles.”
He said that he had damaged his own career prospects by coming out, and that he had been treated differently after doing so.
