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GLAAD Slams Kevin Spacey: "Coming Out Stories Should Not Be Used To Deflect From Allegations Of Sexual Assault"

"This is not a coming out story about Kevin Spacey, but a story of survivorship by Anthony Rapp," said GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.

We may never know exactly what happened in an Manhattan apartment 30 years ago between Kevin Spacey and Anthony Rapp, but there's a growing consensus about one thing: Spacey responded to Rapp's accusations in the worst way possible, claiming to not remember what happened and then coming out—or rather declaring, "I choose now to live as a gay man."

Celebrities from Billy Eichner to Dan Savage called out Spacey's appalling misfire.

"Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out," wrote Eichner.

"No no no no no! You do not get to 'choose' to hide under the rainbow!" tweeted Wanda Sykes.

Rose McGowan, an outspoken critic of sexism and Hollywood and one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers, wrote, "Gay = Gay, Predator = Predator."

"The real issue is, not with sex or sexuality, but with power. When power is used in a non-consensual situation, it is a wrong," George Takei said in a statement to The New York Times. "For Anthony Rapp, he has had to live with the memory of this experience of decades ago. For Kevin Spacey, who claims not to remember the incident, he was the older, dominant one who had his way. Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight—that is a deflection. They do so because they have the power, and they chose to abuse it."

Perhaps the most damning statement came from GLAAD, which usually works with celebrities to ease their coming out.

"Coming out stories should not be used to deflect from allegations of sexual assault," said GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis. "This is not a coming out story about Kevin Spacey, but a story of survivorship by Anthony Rapp and all those who bravely speak out against unwanted sexual advances. The media and public should not gloss over that."

In the wake of the allegations and Spacey's response, Netflix announced it was canceling House of Cards. But not before the already-completed sixth season airs some time in 2018.

"Anthony Rapp's story is deeply troubling," tweeted Cards creator Beau Willimon. "During the time I worked with Kevin Spacey on 'House of Cards' I neither witnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behavior on set or off. That said, I take reports of such behavior seriously, and this is no exception. I feel for Mr. Rapp and I support his courage."

Netflix’s Gore Vidal biopic starring Spacey may also be canned.

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