Actress Sally Field has shared her thoughts about parents who don’t accept their LGBT children and offered some advice.
“First of all, don’t be frightened. And don’t put your own prejudices or fears about sexuality – your own fears about sexuality – on your children. Sexuality is a glorious part of existence.” Field said speaking at a town hall event that will be broadcast on Satellite radio station Sirius XM.
US magazine People have reported that Field said when her son Sam first announced he was gay he wasn’t comfortable identifying as a gay man, but she encouraged him to embrace his new identity.
“I welcomed him to welcome himself and find that part of his life.” the actress said.
Field said she was horrified by parents who disown their children because of the their sexuality.
“What horrifies me is that there are parents who so disapprove, who are so brainwashed to think that this is something out of the Bible or ungodly or against nature. It’s not against nature if nature has actually done this. Sam was always Sam, this wonderful human that he is, from the time he was born. … Some people actually shut their children out of the house when they’re young, they’re teenagers – they’re having a hard enough time to be teenagers and own any part of sexuality. I’m still trying to figure it out!”
In 2012 Field’s son Sam Greisman presented her with the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally for Equality Award.
Sally Field’s Career
Field got her start in the entertainment business playing a boy crazy surfer girl in the TV series ‘Gidget’. She then went on to play the leading role in the TV series ‘The Flying Nun’. Throughout the 1960’s she was typecast in many ‘girl next door’ parts.
In 1976 she had a breakout role in the TV movie ‘Sybil’, her portrayal of a young woman affected by, what was then known as, multiple personality disorder earned her an Emmy award.
In the late ’70s and early ’80s Field dated actor Burt Reynolds and the pair starred together in a series of movies including ‘Hooper’, ‘The End’, ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ and it’s sequel.
In the late ’80s Field starred in the ensemble film ‘Steel Magnolias’ alongside Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis,
In the ’90s she starred in a host of well known films including ‘Forrest Gump’, ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ and ‘Whare the Heart Is’.
Field returned to television with an acclaimed role in the TV series ‘E.R.’ where she played Maggie, the mother of Maura Tierney’s character Abbey Lockheart, who suffered from bipolar disorder. She later starred in the TV series ‘Brothers & Sisters’.
Most recently Field has played Spiderman’s Aunt May and appeared in Steven Spielberg’s film ‘Lincoln’. Her ost recent film is in the independent film ‘My Name is Doris’ where she plays a woman who falls in love with a much younger co-worker.
Sally Field’s full interview will air later today. Parents and friends looking for support about their loved ones sexuality can contact PFLAG.
Image: 16th Annual HRC Dinner Photo by Judy G. Rolfe
