In the last few months, Kerry Washington‘s personal life has been under more scrutiny than normal.
In June, ABC’s “Scandal” star married NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha in a hush-hush wedding ceremony in Idaho. And on Wednesday, the news broke that she is four months pregnant. All the while, Washington hasn’t spoken very much about her personal life.
That has caused some to speculate that her wedding is a sham meant to cover up that she’s in fact gay.
See video: ‘SNL’ Promos: Can ‘Scandal’s’ Kerry Washington Resist Taran Killam’s Advances? (Video)
“It’s interesting how much people long to fill in the gaps when someone in the public eye doesn’t share their personal life,” she told Advocate magazine. “I understand their frustration.”
Washington has played gay roles in films “She Hate Me,” “The Dead Girl,” and “Life Is Hot in Cracktown.” That alone may be the cause of the rumors, but add her decision to keep her personal life private and tongues begin to wag.
“I like how people will post pictures of me with other women that I adore, hugging on red carpets, and say, ‘See?’ Are we so uncomfortable with love between two people of the same gender that we immediately label it as sexual? But I’ve never been bothered by the lesbian rumor. There’s nothing offensive about it, so there’s no reason to be offended,” the 36-year-old continued.
Also read: Exposed ‘Scandal’ Blogger Is Ex-Roommate of ABC Sales Director, Says Network (Exclusive)
A very public supporter of equality, Washington says that she knows firsthand the amount of homophobia among African-Americans.
“Something that brings me great joy is knowing what ‘Scandal’s’ audience looks like in terms of African-American households and knowing that so many African-American people and families are being introduced to our characters James and Cyrus,” she said. “It’s really exciting that millions of viewers each week are living life with this amazing, complex couple, stepping into their gay marriage and adoption experience, which is such a vital storyline in our show.”