Cosby Show Star A Lesbian? That's So Raven!

Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Raven-Symone has apparently changed her mind about keeping her sexual orientation private. According to an article in US Magazine, the 27-year-old "That's So Raven" actress tweeted a thank-you to the powers that be on Friday, Aug. 2, for "finally" being able to get married.

"I can finally get married! Yay government!" she tweeted. "So proud of you." Symone didn't elaborate any further, but many speculate she was referring to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act back in June.

"I am very happy that gay marriage is opening up around the country and is being accepted," Symone told E! News. "I was excited to hear today that more states legalized gay marriage. I, however am not currently getting married, but it is great to know I can now, should I wish to."

Symone also retweeted a fan who wrote, "She been out, momma just didn't have time for bulls--t."

Last year in May, the former "Cosby Show" star addressed speculation that she was a lesbian after National Enquirer claimed that she was living with a girlfriend, "America's Next Top Model" contestant AzMarie Livingston. A family insider told The National Enquirer that she had moved her model girlfriend into her $11,000-a-month New York City condominium.

At that time, Symone wrote on Twitter, "I'm living my PERSONAL life the way I'm happiest. I'm not one, in my 25-year career to disclose who I'm dating. And I shall not start now."

According to the gossip website MediaTakout, Livingston and Livingston had "grown apart," and sources said Livingston may have been cheating on Symone. But the Cosby star quickly bounced back; in a May 24 Twitter post, Symone professed her love for rising star Ari Lennox, tweeting, "I ment...Ari Lennox..I love you!!!"

According to EN Stars, Lennox is a songwriter who is originally from Washington D.C., according to her official website, Ariography.com. The 22-year-old became a Youtube sensation after she released the single, "La, la, la, la," and has been described as "soulful" and a "younger Erykah Badu."

Although Symone hasn't been explicit about her relationships, she has remarked that her sexual orientation is no one's business.

"My sexual orientation is mine, and the person I'm dating to know," said Symone. "I'm not one for a public display of my life, however that is my right as a HUMAN Being whether straight or gay. To tell or not to tell. As long as I'm not harming anyone. I am a light being made from love. And my career is the only thing I would like to put on display, not my personal life."

The revelation has caused a backlash of negative responses, with fans of her Disney Channel show "That's So Raven" tweeting under the hashtag #childhoodruined, much in the way that happened when Ellen DeGeneres and Lance Bass came out.

But she also received support in the form of retweets and comments like, "Proud of my idol!!" @DanielJBaker wrote.

"And I'm so proud of you for that tweet," another fan wrote. The That's So Raven star even got some humorous support: @PunkyStarshine tweeted, "Does Raven play for our team? I missed that, but I dig it."


by Winnie McCroy , EDGE Editor

Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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