Tyson Beckford, supermodel and host of Bravo's new reality show "Make Me a Supermodel," says he loves his gay fans to death and doesn't understand why some people still have problems with gay people.

Beckford is considered one of the few men who's ever been considered a supermodel, namely because his is the longest-running contract Ralph Lauren has ever doled out. With men or women.

Last week Beckford talked to Dallas Voice about his new show and about whether or not being gay is a supermodel deal-breaker:

Dallas Voice: You really impressed your gay fans' when you did that calendar signing at a gay club in D.C.
Tyson Beckford: Oh yeah, I caught a lot of heck for that, too. But in this day and era, people are still putting that gay wall up — like gay people aren't cool.
Well, I'm sorry to tell you: Gay people really run the entertainment business. So you've been watching a lot of stuff that's been gay influenced, but you just didn't know. You know, it's about time.
I'm straight, but I have my gay fans and I also have my straight fans, and I do not want to ever offend either one.
I mean, what is fashion without a little gay in there?

Dallas Voice: You did catch a lot of hell for appearing at that gig?
Tyson Beckford: Yeah, but that was just from the straight idiots who didn't know any better. I got a gay friend who likes to call them "stupid straight people.” And I love him for that. And I tell him, "You know what? Those stupid straight people are giving me hell again.” I don't see what that has to do with who we are as a person.

Dallas Voice: That appearance made a big impact about how gay people perceive you. But what did you take away from the experience?
Tyson Beckford: Not to let people judge me for who I hang out with, or where I go, or what I do, or who are my friends. I've always grown up that way. My parents never raised me to be homophobic or anything like that. And I raise my son the same way. And I just wish everyone else would raise their kids like that, too. So that way we wouldn't have problems, like racism and people being gay or straight. Who the hell cares? We're humans.
It's 2008, and you're still worried about whether the guy next to me is gay.
Like I said, they're just stupid straight people — ignorant straight people. So hurray to my gay fans. I love you. I love you to death. Gay people keep it real.

Last update: 01-10-2008 15:12