TVSquad

Ok, Ugly Betty fans, let's do some audience-participation for a second: if you had no idea that Betty's nephew Justin was gay, raise your hand.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Didn't think so. It's pretty obvious that Justin is gay, even if he hasn't come out and said it yet. That's not just me talking, though. Entertainment writer Lydia Marcus has an essay on The Advocate's web site saying the exact same thing. In the essay, she's responding to a previous Advocate article that quoted a representative from GLAAD saying that Justin can't be counted as a gay character because he hasn't come out yet. "He's a character with a flair for the dramatic and someone who has a sense of style. To say he's gay based on that means viewers are letting stereotypes decide for them the definition of gender and sexuality," said the rep.

Mandisa, who was voted off American Idol this week, is responding to criticism that she's anti-gay. In her bio on the FOX/Idol website, Mandisa mentions her strong Christian faith and praises Beth Moore, of Living Proof Ministries. Moore's website has all sorts of links to various organizations in the ex-gay movement, or Christian organizations that seek to reverse homosexuality. Naturally, some folks thought that meant Mandisa was supportive of groups that try to turn gay people into straight people.

Mandisa told Advocate magazine that she does not support the groups, is not anti-gay, and believes in treating people as she would want to be treated. But, she also said she would not perform at an event held in support of the gay community.