October 31, 2017 | Celeb Watch

Kevin Spacey comes out ... amid accusations of sexual assault

Kevin Spacey's sexuality is probably one of Hollywood's worst kept secrets, but it wasn't until this past weekend that Spacey finally declared that he is, in fact, a gay man. And the circumstances surrounding the confession are quite troubling.

Earlier this week, actresses were sharing their stories of being sexually abused by Hollywood bigwigs (in light of the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal). On Sunday, actor Anthony Rapp -- currently starring in Star Trek: Discovery -- told BuzzFeed News that he was also a victim. He was 14 at the time and alleged that Spacey, then 26, made unwelcome advances on him at a party.

Rapp said that he was at a party at Spacey's house. Spacey was drunk, and at one point lifted Rapp onto his bed and climbed on top of him.

“He was trying to seduce me,” Rapp, now 46, explained. “I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”

He was able to get away before anything more happened.

Spacey, now 58, responded to the news by apologizing and coming out at the same time.

pic.twitter.com/X6ybi5atr5

— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017

The reaction has been swift and angry.

Wanda Sykes tweeted: "No no no no no! You do not get to “choose” to hide under the rainbow! Kick rocks!"

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

British comedian Sue Perkins also took issue with the timing. "Well done Kev. You stay silent on your sexuality until the time comes when you can conflate it with an alleged sexual assault on a minor," she tweeted. "In doing so, you simultaneously undervalue the horrific nature of the allegation and set back the LGBT+ community. Well done."

Netflix has responded to the news by saying it will cancel the popular series House of Cards after its sixth season.

“Media Rights Capital and Netflix are deeply troubled by last night’s news concerning Kevin Spacey,” the companies said in a joint statement. “In response to last night’s revelations, executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time.”

Spacey was also working on a second Netflix project, a biopic about Gore Vidal; it is possible it, too, will be cancelled.

“Coming-out stories should not be used to deflect from allegations of sexual assault,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD. “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.”

Is it really that difficult to keep your hands to yourself?