Kevin Campbell Big Brother contestant and a gay ex-Jehovah's Witness article from GLAAD

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Kevin Campbell Could Become First Openly Gay Winner of Big Brother




By GLAAD |

September 15, 2009







Tonight on CBS' Big Brother 11, Kevin Campbell, a 29-year-ol graphic designer from Chula Vista, California, could become the first openly gay contestant to win the $500,000 grand prize in the show's history.
By making it to the final three, Kevin has already advanced further in the game than any gay male contestant before him. (Ivette Corredero, a lesbian, made it to the final two on Big Brother 6 but fell short of first place).
Kevin Campbell could win it all!
Kevin Campbell could win it all!
The start of this season saw the houseguests divided into high school cliques: "Athletes," "Populars," "Offbeats" and "Brains." As a former Jehovah's Witness who was rejected by his family after he came out, Kevin was placed with the "Offbeats" alongside Lydia, a heavily tattooed bisexual make-up artist, and Casey, a fifth-grade teacher who moonlights as a DJ.
The other houseguests, some of whom had had little previous interaction with LGBT people, embraced Kevin and were genuinely interested in learning more about his life as a gay man. A particularly touching moment came when Kevin won the Head of Household competition and received a letter from his partner of nine years as a prize. These instances coupled with Kevin's amicable demeanor allowed America to see a positive portrayal of a mature gay man in a committed relationship.
Tonight, Kevin will first have to defeat Jordan Lloyd, a 22-year-old waitress from North Carolina, to secure his place in the final two before deciding where to take Jordan or his ally, Natalie Martinez, with him to face the jury vote.
In Big Brother, one is always advised to "expect the unexpected." However, if jurors vote based on who played the strongest game, expect Kevin to come out victorious. Be on the lookout on this blog for future stories on our favorite Big Brother houseguest!
Issues:  Entertainment
  .

Tags:  Big Brother,
 Big Brother 11,
 CBS,
 Kevin Campbell
  .

 .
.
.... ..



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About GLAAD

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBT equality. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
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http://www.glaad.org/2009/09/15/kevin-campbell-could-become-first-openly-gay-winner-of-big-brother

















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Kevin Campbell Could Become First Openly Gay Winner of Big Brother




By GLAAD |

September 15, 2009







Tonight on CBS' Big Brother 11, Kevin Campbell, a 29-year-ol graphic designer from Chula Vista, California, could become the first openly gay contestant to win the $500,000 grand prize in the show's history.
By making it to the final three, Kevin has already advanced further in the game than any gay male contestant before him. (Ivette Corredero, a lesbian, made it to the final two on Big Brother 6 but fell short of first place).
Kevin Campbell could win it all!
Kevin Campbell could win it all!
The start of this season saw the houseguests divided into high school cliques: "Athletes," "Populars," "Offbeats" and "Brains." As a former Jehovah's Witness who was rejected by his family after he came out, Kevin was placed with the "Offbeats" alongside Lydia, a heavily tattooed bisexual make-up artist, and Casey, a fifth-grade teacher who moonlights as a DJ.
The other houseguests, some of whom had had little previous interaction with LGBT people, embraced Kevin and were genuinely interested in learning more about his life as a gay man. A particularly touching moment came when Kevin won the Head of Household competition and received a letter from his partner of nine years as a prize. These instances coupled with Kevin's amicable demeanor allowed America to see a positive portrayal of a mature gay man in a committed relationship.
Tonight, Kevin will first have to defeat Jordan Lloyd, a 22-year-old waitress from North Carolina, to secure his place in the final two before deciding where to take Jordan or his ally, Natalie Martinez, with him to face the jury vote.
In Big Brother, one is always advised to "expect the unexpected." However, if jurors vote based on who played the strongest game, expect Kevin to come out victorious. Be on the lookout on this blog for future stories on our favorite Big Brother houseguest!
Issues:  Entertainment
  .

Tags:  Big Brother,
 Big Brother 11,
 CBS,
 Kevin Campbell
  .

 .
.
.... ..



 ..




About GLAAD

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBT equality. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
more about GLAAD >>
contact us >>
donate now
copyright 2014 all rights reserved | privacy policy
..


Connect with GLAAD
















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Quick Links
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http://www.glaad.org/2009/09/15/kevin-campbell-could-become-first-openly-gay-winner-of-big-brother















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Big Brother 11's Kevin Campbell Discusses Growing Up a Jehovah's Witness




By GLAAD |

October 14, 2009







Recently GLAAD had the opportunity to talk with Kevin Campbell, the third place finisher on the most recent edition of CBS' Big Brother, and discuss his experiences as an out and proud gay man who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness.
 Kevin Campbell1On how being raised a Jehovah's Witness impacted his life as a gay man:
I remember the moment I realized I was gay was when I was in a meeting at church and they were reading a scripture in the Bible about how men who sleep with men are evil and wicked. And I remember as a kid, listening to that, and I was like, “Oh my God, I think that’s me!” I felt like the whole congregation was looking at me and I felt dirty, and you know, it definitely impacted me. I think conversely though, it helped me become the fabulous person I am now because I never want to go back into that corner—I never want to go back in the closet. I never want to have that feeling again. I just don’t want to go back to that space again, and that’s why I was fabulous like I was in the house, because I didn’t want anyone to put me in the closet again.

On coming out to his family:
My brother basically outed me. So what happened was, I told my brother, I was like, “Oh my God, I think I’m gay.” He freaks out. He told the elders in the congregation, which are like ministers or priests or whatever—he told them. My father had a heart attack within this week, so I go to visit my father in the hospital and these elders come to go pray for him. And they come up to me and they’re like, “So you know, your brother told us about your situation. If you don’t tell your father and your mother in the next week, we’re going to tell them for you,” so I was like, “Oh my God.” Needless to say, I came out to my mother in the hospital cafeteria, and then she told my father—later though, because he was still recovering from the heart attack.


Kevin (2nd from top right) and the cast of <i>Big Brother 11</i>
Kevin (2nd from top right) and the cast of Big Brother 11


On his ex-communication:
They made an announcement to the whole congregation that I’ve been ex-communicated and they’re not to talk to me anymore. And ever since then, literally, the next day, my friends disappeared. I couldn’t talk to my mother, my father. My mother actually told me when they made the announcement—she cried—my mother’s Japanese and she rarely shows any emotion. She cried, and this is the second time in my life I’ve ever seen her cry…she told me that she has to think of me as being dead, because if she knew I was alive and living down the street, it would be too hard for her. Consequently, they moved to Japan like maybe 6 months later. But yeah, it was a hard experience. It was very crushing. I thought my life was over. I thought…I honestly thought that everything was done with me, but I just decided it wasn’t going to be the end of me, and I just kept going. And I just feel so sorry that certain organizations or certain people can do this to our community, and make us feel so horrible and split our families up.

On reuniting with his family:
Part of the reason why I wanted to do Big Brother is because I haven’t spoken to my mother and father in like, nine years…and I wanted them to somehow know that I was still doing okay. So deep down inside, I thought, well if I go onto Big Brother they would at least hear about me see  through the television that I’m happy.  So, after the show was over, CBS contacted my parents and I was connected to my parents, and we actually had dinner for the first time. They met my boyfriend for the first time, the day before yesterday. It was so awkward but so amazing. I think they are more open, I think they realize that, whoa, Kevin is serious. I mean, nine years with a man is serious. Nine years with anyone is very serious. I think I’m definitely opening their eyes, or their hearts at least, to the concept that, yeah, maybe they’re not completely accepting of me, but at least we need to show that we still love him. Because you know, a phone call goes a long way.
Issues:  Entertainment,
 Religion and Faith
  .

Tags:  Big Brother,
 CBS,
 Jehovah's Witness,
 Kevin Campbell
  .

 .
.
.... ..



 ..




About GLAAD

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBT equality. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
more about GLAAD >>
contact us >>
donate now
copyright 2014 all rights reserved | privacy policy
..


Connect with GLAAD
















..


Quick Links
take action
resources
for press
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glaad media awards
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http://www.glaad.org/2009/10/14/big-brother-11s-kevin-campbell-discusses-growing-up-a-jehovahs-witness






















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    .. ..






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 .. ..















..

Big Brother 11's Kevin Campbell Discusses Growing Up a Jehovah's Witness




By GLAAD |

October 14, 2009







Recently GLAAD had the opportunity to talk with Kevin Campbell, the third place finisher on the most recent edition of CBS' Big Brother, and discuss his experiences as an out and proud gay man who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness.
 Kevin Campbell1On how being raised a Jehovah's Witness impacted his life as a gay man:
I remember the moment I realized I was gay was when I was in a meeting at church and they were reading a scripture in the Bible about how men who sleep with men are evil and wicked. And I remember as a kid, listening to that, and I was like, “Oh my God, I think that’s me!” I felt like the whole congregation was looking at me and I felt dirty, and you know, it definitely impacted me. I think conversely though, it helped me become the fabulous person I am now because I never want to go back into that corner—I never want to go back in the closet. I never want to have that feeling again. I just don’t want to go back to that space again, and that’s why I was fabulous like I was in the house, because I didn’t want anyone to put me in the closet again.

On coming out to his family:
My brother basically outed me. So what happened was, I told my brother, I was like, “Oh my God, I think I’m gay.” He freaks out. He told the elders in the congregation, which are like ministers or priests or whatever—he told them. My father had a heart attack within this week, so I go to visit my father in the hospital and these elders come to go pray for him. And they come up to me and they’re like, “So you know, your brother told us about your situation. If you don’t tell your father and your mother in the next week, we’re going to tell them for you,” so I was like, “Oh my God.” Needless to say, I came out to my mother in the hospital cafeteria, and then she told my father—later though, because he was still recovering from the heart attack.


Kevin (2nd from top right) and the cast of <i>Big Brother 11</i>
Kevin (2nd from top right) and the cast of Big Brother 11


On his ex-communication:
They made an announcement to the whole congregation that I’ve been ex-communicated and they’re not to talk to me anymore. And ever since then, literally, the next day, my friends disappeared. I couldn’t talk to my mother, my father. My mother actually told me when they made the announcement—she cried—my mother’s Japanese and she rarely shows any emotion. She cried, and this is the second time in my life I’ve ever seen her cry…she told me that she has to think of me as being dead, because if she knew I was alive and living down the street, it would be too hard for her. Consequently, they moved to Japan like maybe 6 months later. But yeah, it was a hard experience. It was very crushing. I thought my life was over. I thought…I honestly thought that everything was done with me, but I just decided it wasn’t going to be the end of me, and I just kept going. And I just feel so sorry that certain organizations or certain people can do this to our community, and make us feel so horrible and split our families up.

On reuniting with his family:
Part of the reason why I wanted to do Big Brother is because I haven’t spoken to my mother and father in like, nine years…and I wanted them to somehow know that I was still doing okay. So deep down inside, I thought, well if I go onto Big Brother they would at least hear about me see  through the television that I’m happy.  So, after the show was over, CBS contacted my parents and I was connected to my parents, and we actually had dinner for the first time. They met my boyfriend for the first time, the day before yesterday. It was so awkward but so amazing. I think they are more open, I think they realize that, whoa, Kevin is serious. I mean, nine years with a man is serious. Nine years with anyone is very serious. I think I’m definitely opening their eyes, or their hearts at least, to the concept that, yeah, maybe they’re not completely accepting of me, but at least we need to show that we still love him. Because you know, a phone call goes a long way.
Issues:  Entertainment,
 Religion and Faith
  .

Tags:  Big Brother,
 CBS,
 Jehovah's Witness,
 Kevin Campbell
  .

 .
.
.... ..



 ..




About GLAAD

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBT equality. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
more about GLAAD >>
contact us >>
donate now
copyright 2014 all rights reserved | privacy policy
..


Connect with GLAAD
















..


Quick Links
take action
resources
for press
about
attend an event
glaad media awards
report an incident
.. ...

 






































http://www.glaad.org/2009/10/14/big-brother-11s-kevin-campbell-discusses-growing-up-a-jehovahs-witness