By Glennisha Morgan

In a recent interview with PrideSource, Whoopi Goldberg addressed longtime lesbian rumors. She played queer characters in two films, Boys on the Side and The Color Purple. Goldberg stated that people often assume when it comes to the sexuality of actors who have portrayed gay characters on the silver screen. “I have been gay in films. I’ve done two: “The Color Purple” and I always forget what the other one is,” she explained. “People assume they know because they’ve seen you in a movie or because they’ve seen you do something or they’ve heard you say something, and then they make assumptions. Quite honestly, I was glad to be claimed.”

She said that she doesn’t prefer to leave her sexuality ambiguous and she’s very clear about it. “You’ve never seen me with a woman,” she said. “Pretty much been married to men the whole time! Not the same, but a few of them. (Laughs) Nah, I’m straight, but what does it mean? What does it really mean?”

Although Goldberg set the record straight, the 58-year-old isn’t upset about the rumors. ”There are a lot worse things people could have accused me of — things that would really be upsetting! That’s not one of them,” she adds. “It never has been. I grew up in the theater. I grew up in a neighborhood where there was always gay folks.”

Goldberg mentioned that the Black community didn’t necessarily embrace her, but the gay community always has.”Yes! You know, no one was trying to claim me, nobody wanted me. Black folks didn’t want me,” she explained. “Nobody wanted me. But I’ve always been claimed by the gay community. Always.”

When asked how would she want her sexuality identity characterized, if a documentary was made about her life, the host of The View was nonchalant. “I don’t care. Don’t care! Because I’ll probably be gone by then! (Laughs) With all the amazing people who have come out, if you’re still talking about my sexuality - I’m the one you choose - you’re not doing your job,” she said.

The actress, comedian, producer and TV host recently produced a documentary about lesbian comedian Moms Mabley. It’s currently available for pre-order on DVD.

Glennisha Morgan serves as ELIXHER’s Entertainment Editor. She is the founder of The Fembassy (a blog that is solely dedicated to women MCs), a multimedia journalist, photographer and filmmaker. During her career she has interviewed people like Russell Simmons, La La Anthony, MC Lyte, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Laverne Cox, and Marsha Ambrosius. In 2010, Glennisha was featured in BET’s first original music documentary, ‘My Mic Sounds Nice.’