|| Big Gay Following ||
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Big Gay Following: Chelsea Handler

Comedian and former Mormon Chelsea Handler is a fan of the gays -- but she’s no Tori Spelling.


Her second book, Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, may have topped the New York Times best-seller list, but when it comes to gay men, Chelsea Handler prefers bottoms. The brassy star of E!’s late-night chat show Chelsea Lately certainly had a bunch at her beck and call this year as Queen of West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval and as host of November’s Out 100 gala in New York City. Here, the 33-year-old New Jersey native encourages stereotypes, Lindsay’s sapphic romance, and overturning Proposition 8.

How do you explain your strong connection with the gay community?
I’m like a gay man trapped in a woman’s body, and that’s exactly why the gays and I get along so well. We have the same attitude, which is “fuck everybody and let’s say exactly what we think.” I understand somebody who doesn’t exactly fit in, somebody who’s struggled or felt embarrassed, ashamed, or not confident in who they are. Growing up, I got tortured and made fun of, but that makes you a lot stronger. And now, obviously, I’m very popular.

When did you first feel love from gays?
When I had sex with my first gay man. It was pretty quick and painless, but I definitely felt it. [Laughs] I was never some fruit fly hanging around with a bunch of gay guys. I always just loved gay people. Now I definitely have friends and people on staff who are gay, but I don’t only hang around gay people. It’s not like I’m trying to be Tori Spelling -- on many levels.

Long before Paris Hilton was searching for a BFF, you interviewed potential gay besties on your previous E! series, The Chelsea Handler Show. What qualities do you look for in a gay pal?
I like bottoms. [Laughs] I don’t like catty gay guys who are like, “She did this and that,” and act like women. It’s like, You’re still a man. Act like a man.

Chelsea Latelyrecently featured an all-gay discussion panel with comics Scott Thompson and Guy Branum, plus singer Justin Tranter. How did it compare to a regular panel?
We did a theme week with a redheaded panel, a black panel, and a fat-ass panel, but “gay day” was definitely the best. Gay people just have a better sense of humor. The kindred spirit thing also lies there.

With which gay celebrity would you most like to grab a drink?
I’m not as much into gay celebrities as I am just into gay people. I like how effusive they are. They’re more fun to be around, they laugh harder, they cry louder, and they do everything with a little more oomph. I grew up in a Jewish family, so there wasn’t a lot of emotion running around.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: matthew
    Date posted: 3/10/2009 7:46:00 PM
    Hometown: kendallville

    Comment:

    i am a fan of chelsea latly and i am for peoples rights and im democrat (mildly) but i think that some times people get to offended if you dont like her or she ofends you then dont whatch her or listen to her be the bigger person dont keep edging it on. i dont think shes a hateful person but some times we need to laugh at our selfs i mean we do it to other people and groups of people BUT WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR SELF YOU GET OFFENDED BUT YET YOU THINK ITS OK TO LAUGH AT OTHERS why cant you you laugh at your self too im over wait and i know its no ware close to being gay but i laugh at other things and people and when people laugh at over wait people i laugh along too, I THINK THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE JELOUSE OF HER BECUASE THEY CANT BE HER AND DO THE THINGS THAT SHE DOSE so grow up and get a life shes only human like the rest of us!!!!!!

  • Name: sandy
    Date posted: 2/19/2009 5:25:00 AM
    Hometown: mexico

    Comment:

    Chelsea is the funniest, she can get away with everything because she makes us look to the things we pay so much attention(paris, Lindsay,etc).. i really like her late night show. people here are saying that dont know her and her stuff but if you watch her show you know she doesnt make fun of people who she thinks are real and besides the fame continue to be real.. and she really support us!

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 1/5/2009 1:35:00 AM
    Hometown: Palm Springs, CA

    Comment:

    Mat, people take gays very seriously. That's why so many ignorant Americans feel threatened by gays. They take them VERY seriously!

  • Name: Mat
    Date posted: 1/3/2009 7:17:00 AM
    Hometown: Miami

    Comment:

    Its always funny reading, watching, listening to Americans over-react to soemthing trivial. You wonder why no one takes gay people seriously?? You all answered it yourselves with your whining. Get a freakin life!

  • Name: michael
    Date posted: 12/31/2008 3:12:00 PM
    Hometown: boston

    Comment:

    I like Chelsea. She's funny and pokes fun at things to show the absurdity of it all. In this day and age, a sense of humor is sooo important!!!

  • Name: Benjy
    Date posted: 12/31/2008 3:52:00 AM
    Hometown: Indy

    Comment:

    She is completely ignorant about addiction. Most addicts have to go thru rehab several times before it sticks. It's not funny and no one deserves to have what is basically an illness (alcoholism, etc.) publicly ridiculed. Likewise, the coming out process, which is unique and difficult for everyone. No one should be forced out before they are ready. She makes me physically ill and Griffen isn't much better.

  • Name: sam
    Date posted: 12/31/2008 3:39:00 AM
    Hometown: boston

    Comment:

    God, what a hypocrite. Yeah, she & Kathy are comedians, but when they do nothing but villify gay celebs or celebs they perceive as gay & then turn around & try to pretend to support gay rights & everything gay.... just STFU. You're a liar. You do more to promote stereotypes & homophobia than anyone in the public eye.

  • Name: Chris
    Date posted: 12/24/2008 7:46:00 AM
    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA!

    Comment:

    Can't someone make YOU disappear?! Slut bag. A woman hater? Really??

  • Name: Chris
    Date posted: 12/24/2008 7:46:00 AM
    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA!

    Comment:

    Can't someone make YOU disappear?! Slut bag. A woman hater? Really??

  • Name: Shelly
    Date posted: 12/19/2008 2:37:00 PM
    Hometown: Portland OR

    Comment:

    I love Chelsea. She is sooooo funny & very gay friendly. Anyone who thinks she is anti-gay knows NOTHING about her. She is one of the more supportive straight people out there. I am gay & think gay people need to lighten up. She just kidding & it IS her job to make fun of things. She goes out of her way to say things in support of gay people all. the. time.

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