Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart, announces he is gay

Who's had him?

Oh boy, drama just surrounds the Smart family. I wonder what Elizabeth will have to say about this?

In “one of the hardest letters I have ever written,” Smart wrote in a Facebook message to family and friends that “I have recently acknowledged to myself and my family that I am gay.”

“The decision to be honest and truthful about my orientation comes with its own set of challenges, but at the same time it is a huge relief,” he wrote. “Living with the pain and guilt I have for so many years, not willing to accept the truth about my orientation has at times brought me to the point where I questioned whether life was still worth living.”

Reached Thursday, Smart confirmed that he sent the letter and said it speaks for itself.

Smart came into the public eye after his then 14-year-old daughter was abducted from their Federal Heights home in Salt Lake City in 2002. He remained in the spotlight as family spokesman throughout her nine months in captivity, during the trial of her kidnappers and as an advocate for missing children. He said his advocacy work will continue.

“The decision to be honest and truthful about my orientation comes with its own set of challenges, but at the same time it is a huge relief.” Smart, 64, wrote that he mostly watched in silence for years as many LGBTQ people both in and out of the church have been victims of ridicule, shunning, rejection and outright humiliation.

“I didn’t want to face the feelings I fought so hard to suppress, and didn’t want to reach out and tell those being ostracized that I too am numbered among them,” he said. “But I cannot do that any longer.”

A father of five children, Smart said he loves his family, and always will.

“Lois has been a loyal wife, and extraordinary mother, who has had to endure an impossible part of this journey. I deeply regret the excruciating pain this has caused her. Hurting her was never my intent. While our marriage will end, my love for Lois and everyone in my family is eternal,” he wrote.

Isn't he like 100 years old?

He's kind of Daddy-hot in OP's photo. I'd fuck him.

Want there something about gay porn found on the computer of one of the Smarts during the time the girl was missing?

^ And thus, he is welcomed into the community.

Elizabeth's comment: "My parents taught me as a young child that they would love me unconditionally no matter what happened, ..... While I am deeply saddened by their separation, nothing could change my love and admiration for them both. Their decisions are very personal. As such, I will not pass judgment and rather am focusing on loving and supporting them and the other members of my family.”

I think I remember her uncles telling police that her father visited gay bars. It was hushed up.

He was always a little skeevy, and so was his brother. I remember they were both considered suspects early on in the case.

He writes well.

I always fucking KNEW it. I have great GAYDAR. You know who is NOT gay? Tom Cruise.

Elizabeth doesn't sound very supportive at all.

And, yes, there was something about gay porn and Daddy a long time ago.

R13, what's the problem with what she said about her parents divorcing?

Elizabeth Smart is an eerily composed woman. But there's nothing wrong with her statement in the least. Is she supposed to be thrilled that her father takes it up the ass?

"I will not pass judgment" means she is VERY judgmental.

He's going to Mormon hell, for sure.

No, r16, it actually sounds rather non-judgmental for someone raised as a Mormon. He raised his family in that church, so he can't really expect them all to jump for joy.

Yeah, that statement from her is total religious fundie bitch.

In the Mormon religion it means he won't join them in the afterlife.

“I have recently acknowledged to myself and my family that I am gay.”

=

“I am getting ahead of the blackmailer and/or the scandalous video that may be made public in a few days.

She really is the most selfish thing, isn't she?

Any other 32 year old whose father just announced his divorce from her mother would be contacting SLC Price to lead next year's parade. And picking out a rainbow jockstrap for him to wear.

Selfish bitch.

That's like announcing the sun rises in the east.

Good for him, and for all of them moving forward. I can't support any religion that is not on the side of the truth.

So he's no longer going to get his own planet, right?

Doesn’t she have assburgers? That might explain her strange statement.

Or maybe she’s just a socially awkward, overly religious loon.

[quote]He's kind of Daddy-hot in OP's photo. I'd fuck him.

I always thought he was hot.

🙊Wowee Wow Wow Wow !

Didn't 🙈 see that one coming !

It must have been awful to be a closeted, married, Mormon with children and then suddenly be under the national spotlight and have cops poking through everything in your home and in your life. Ugh.

Isn't that always the way though.

Was told the exact details of what happens during the process of young boys striving for the LDS Priesthood. On a regular basis they're questioned alone about their sexual fantasies and masturbation habits. Then they're made to explain everything thoroughly. Both practices are seriously condemned.

FLDS cult members are not even allowed to thoroughly wash themselves but must remove one leg or arm of their "magic" underwear at a time in the shower. Meaning they can't use soap and a washcloth or their hand to clean themselves.

No, R30.

How many people have a child kidnapped? Very few.

“Living with the pain and guilt I have for so many years, not willing to accept the truth about my orientation has at times brought me to the point where I questioned whether life was still worth living.”

The closet kills

He'll still vote for Trump in 2020.

He would be perfect for Mormonboyz.

I can’t but to feel sorry for a person who was so scared to live their truth that they didn’t come out until they were 64 years old. Why even bother at that point?

[quote]He'll still vote for Trump in 2020.

That’s what I’d like to know - how many times has this guy voted for anti-gay politicians even though they knew damn well they were gay themselves?

Now he can appear on Dancing With The Stars! He's too old to fuck, but he can put on some cuban heels and rumba.

r36 he clearly was being blackmailed

ALL YA'LL SHOULDA "BE" ASHAMED OF "YOURSELF FOR A-COMING ON DOWN SO "HARD" ON THAT YOUNG'UN. HE IS TRYIN' "TO" GRABB AS "MUCH" LIFE AS A "POSSIBLE" LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!!! HE "REMINDS" OF MY LITTLE "BILLY" WHO RECENTLY HISSELF "LET" ALL THE NEIGHBORS KNOW THAT HE HISSELF "TAKES" A LITTLE SUGAR IN HIS COFFEE "AS" THEY SAY!!! IT'S NOT LIKE THE NEIGHBORS "WASN'T" SUSPECTING IT, THOUGH, ESPECIALLY AT HALLOWEEN "AND" BILLY WOULD BE A-WEARING "A" BRIGHT YELLOW MINI-DRESS WITH BRICK-RED "THIGH" HIGH BOOTS AND A ORANGE "BOA" OVER A PURPLE FUR "VEST". BILLY WOULD COMPLAIN "ABOUT" THE HASSLE IT WAS TO TAKE OFF "THAT" GET-UP TO PUT ON HIS YOGI BEAR "COSTUME" FOR TRICK OR TREATIN!!! BLESSOX

[Quote] Why even bother at that point?

Did you come out just to fuck or...?

Yeah, we knew, gurl.

We must remember that it is not a sin to be gay, but it a sin to engage in homosexual acts. As long as he hasn't had sex outside of marriage, he will be fine.

I read Elizabeth Smart's comment as referring to her parents divorcing -- and that she knows they both still love her.

Kudos to him regardless of reasons why. 64 years, conservative, Morman, Utah, and probably having very few family members supporting him.

You people are so gross. Some of the comments here sound like something out of FreeRepublic. Like r10.

Is anyone actually shocked? He seems like a nice guy though, I wish him happiness (or rather, a penis).

R36- There was a story I read on the internet about a man who came out at 94. He was still married to his wife. The wife said she knew for years. I guess it's NEVER too late to come out even if you come out EXTREMELY late at 94.

64 is not too old to fuck. But 94 is.

DL could’ve told him this years ago......and probably did...

[quote]Is anyone actually shocked?

I was, but he was never on my radar.

You don’t come out of the closet at 64. You come out of the chifforobe.

[quote]You don’t come out of the closet at 64. You flounce out of the chifforobe.

Just as long as he doesn't start writing long-winded Instagram posts about his journey accompanied by shirtless selfies, like a certain other ex-Mormon we know.

Where is The Bisexual Brigade to squeal that he must be Bi since he fathered 5 kids?

Aw, good for you, Ed.

[Quote]I always fucking KNEW it. I have great GAYDAR.

Oh honey, puhleeze! You think you have some special talent? Even *I* saw this coming.

I like to hear from the wife!

Mormonism ain't so great for women either.

From Elder to Eldergay is a big step UP.

Anyone got his number?

The DataLounge ALWAYS knew. You can't fool us

On a happy note, the batch of children from his next marriage will be eligible for baptism and the priesthood, and can also become missionaries without being forced to renounce him first.

Things are really looking up for Ed!

Has he even picked out his eating dress?

WHOA. I could see it, but it is still shocking to me.

He'll start hooking up with 20 something druggies and rough trade. We'll end up reading about his gruesome death at the hands of one or more of his companions.

Reminds me of Papa Simpson

He has hot daddy potential.

I hope he finds a nice boyfriend.

He's been hooking up on the downlow with other men in the Salt Lake area for ages, even at the time when the STAGED abduction happened. This was always an open secret. He also had gay porn on his computer, and it came to light around the same time.

This is a lot more common in Utah than probably anywhere else in the US. it is a really fucked-up place. I grew up in the Provo area and still can't believe I survived that mad shit.

I'm going to pour out my unhappiness into several hours of harp playing!

Elizabeth Smart's husband pings, too. Like mother, like daughter.

Ed Smart was not the closeted Morton I want to see come outZ I want David Archuletas fine hole to come out.

*Mormon

R12, don't know if you are joking or not. But I have actual proof of Tom Cruise being gay (I know men he has been with). He is one of the most obvious closet cases of all time.

Seven weeks until Conference weekend. Get it, Ed!

He absolutely pinged. I remember wondering who he thought he was fooling from his interviews back in the day. I'm glad he's finally free. . Elizabeth totally reflected the 'fuss over' trimmings of having a gay father.

R69 what do you mean, STAGED abduction? What happened???

What psycho thinks that a man staged the abduction and rape of his own daughter? You're demented.

[R69] please expound on the STAGED comment. I have not heard this.

He needs to hook up with the father from Abducted In Plain Sight

Because it's BULLSHIT R77/R79

Everything r69 said is bullshit.

I would care if he were 30 years younger.

He sold his daughter for meth.

[quote]Was told the exact details of what happens during the process of young boys striving for the LDS Priesthood.

Isn't everyone an LDS priest if they are a man?

I always feel bad for the wives. I'd love to ask a Pray the Gay away advocate, "So you'd be ok with your daughter marrying a "reformed" gay?"

bulge

Scrunged garment under spandex bulge.

Is this is public ad for hooking up? He needs to find a site or app for that.

"Isn't he like 100 years old?"

100 is the new 70.

Most guys have a bulge in bike shorts, even a pervy old Mormon who sold his daughter to a hobo for a bag of crystal meth.

I ran into an acquaintance this week who said to me, 'what was the deal with you and so and so?' (so and so was a mutual friend, married twice, divorced twice, has a son, wanted to be a dad more than ANYTHING, will not shut up about gay sex or gay jokes and TOLD me once that he'd tried gay sex -- in his mid 30s -- but didn't like it). And so and so turned on my BIG TIME.

I wanted to say to the acquaintance: "I can't say for sure but I think he's DEEPLY closeted."

Had I read this earlier, I might have.

Is everybody gay?!

I'm shocked! He seemed so rough and rural.

R91, How do you know that Mr. Smart sold Elizabeth for a bag of crystal meth? Did his wife know anything? The whole abduction story was always way, way off to me.

R85, All young LDS boys aim to be in the priesthood but they must go through a long process of ongoing personal confession to be deemed worthy.

Think about it. Mormon boys are forbidden to masturbate and sexually fantasize. They must stay totally pure when around girls. Mormon young women are constantly reminded to dress very conservatively so as not to tempt boys. So how many teens do you know that can stay 100% pure until their wedding day? Especially if they're not getting married until they finish college and their LDS directed missions?

Priority for a LDS woman to marry a man who respects her virginity yet is in his early to mid-20's means it's likely he'll have a very low sex drive or just not be into women.

I'm not the person you were responding to, R85, but Aaronic priesthood, which can start at age twelve, is at the discretion of the bishop after passing a "worthiness interview." The interviews continue biannually. Melchizedek priesthood, which is the full priesthood, starts at eighteen.

Until last year the interviews were conducted one-on-one, just a child and a grown man behind closed doors. Now that a parent or other adult is allowed in, they're talking about lowering the age to eight.

[quote] [R13], what's the problem with what she said about her parents divorcing?

I'm not r13 but I think that part is fine. The statement is very carefully worded to avoid the G word.

Seems like he's trying to get out ahead of something. What the fuck did he do (or who did he do, where and how old was he?)?

Don’t be so negative dude

R92, what the hell are you trying to say?

It was pretty obvious he was gay during interviews. When he opened his mouth, 5 yards of pink chiffon flew out.

It was pretty obvious he was gay during interviews. When he opened his mouth, 5 yards of pink chiffon flew out.

Ruth Taylor ruins Bill Taylor.

Looks like a totally legitimate interview process to me....

This man is GAY.

He HAD GAY PORN on his computer and God knows WHAT ELSE.

HE'S SKEEVY and behaved SUSPICIOUSLY when his daughter was "KIDNAPPED."

MAYBE HE DID IT. CAN'T TRUST THOSE GAYS WITH CHILDREN, CAN WE???

" OMG, I think I'm going to ....................... "

As soon as I read about Ed Smart coming out, I remembered how many here swore that he had to be gay.

Your gaydar is so finely tuned at times, Data Loungers!

More interview footage. The boys must be inspected to make sure of their purity....

Finely tuned?! Do you see that pic at r94?

Just from the picture, I think he suits up well and is really cute.

Finely tuned gaydar? No, even a broken clock is correct twice daily. So many people here wildly assert so many people are gay here, they will eventually find one who is actually is. For every time they are proven right, they are wrong 15 times.

[Quote] No, even a broken clock is correct twice daily. So many people here wildly assert so many people are gay here, they will eventually find one who is actually is. For every time they are proven right, they are wrong 15 times.

How do you know they're wrong? It isn't really something that can be proven.

I predict Ed will take it to another level, and transition. I don't know, its just something in the eyes...I cant explain it.

R109 made me LOL.

He reminds me of Pat Robertson. Who also pinged my gaydar when I was a kid.

Coming out as gay makes him “skeevy,” R10?

How brave. Maybe DL fav and fellow Mormon Dr. Jake can meet him and do a photo op?

Ed would definitely love him some Dr. Jake!

We already knew he was gay from space.

I AM Elizabeth Smart!

Now he must also become a Democrat.

Is every red state just bursting at the seams with insane people? Are there any people living there who are not extremely maladjusted?

I want a reality TV show, the late in life gay version of Jenner's show. Ed Smart and Papa Joe Simpson could even go on a road trip with other LILGs.

I wish him happiness and joy in the remaining gay time he has left.

His family will adjust. They may even like him better than before once he grows in to his authentic self.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Well, get Smart.

The Smart money is on lots of dick.

And no more Jane...

LOL, R59.

R31, I guess that explains MormonBoyz.

R95, What does that say about former San Francisco quarterback, Steve Young? A descendent of Brigham Young., he was born in 1961 and didn't get married until he was 38. Hmmm.

Derek Hough is not married. And he wears jockstraps and dance belts. Why are so many ballroom dancers Mormons from Utah? Serious question if anyone knows. Is it so the girls and boys can dress slutty and dance sexy from a young age, but must remain virgins?

I live in Nashville, where a lot of closeted Christian men get married, yet have sex with men on the DL. I wonder if that is common in SLC. You would think it would have to be, but I have not heard much about that. I have heard, though, that SLC is one of the prettiest cities in the country.

I saw pics of Derek on the beach. He has hawt Mormon manly dance feet! They looked under appreciated and in need of attention by someone who knows how.

Turned on by a dancer's feet? Do you have cataracts?

Looking at R94's pic, I can totally see him in an all new show biz career. Albin, in a road show of La Cage, perhaps.

Where are the shirtless pics of this guy?

Not shirtless, but here he is modeling his Brokeback look.

Who will teach him proper mussy hygiene?

Years ago, I once went to the YMCA in Salt Lake City. You had to wear your gym shorts or bathing suit in the all-male steam room. That's just bullshit. I like to be naked in the steam room. And I like looking at other naked men in the steam room. It's freeing and the great equalizer. I never had a good feeling about those people ever since.

You've got to hand it to gay men and their gaydar. I had it but it's faded. I remember years ago when the Smart kidnapping story broke. Gays were all over the Internet saying the father was gay. I had my doubts, but the gays were right all along.

[Quote] You've got to hand it to gay men and their gaydar. I had it but it's faded. I remember years ago when the Smart kidnapping story broke. Gays were all over the Internet saying the father was gay. I had my doubts, but the gays were right all along.

Are you a lesbian?

I'm a straight woman R138, and I had him pegged right away. Pun intended.

And yet, on other sites, they're talking about him DECEIVING his wife.

Hasn’t the poor girl suffered enough..,

I feel sorry for his wife

R143, I don't. The sex between them was probably terrible. She's probably relieved not to have to do that anymore, if they've done it all in recent years. She's probably even OK with it, except for the part of going public in a repressed and judgmental environment.

I apologize for using "probably" three times three sentences.

Back when they were in the news daily during the kidnapping and aftermath I thought he seemed gay- another win for the gaydar. I seem to remember alit if God talk which may have been his barrier (in addition to having a family).

He should coax Ted Haggard out of the closet.

R139. I'm a gay man.

Elizabeth Smart's parents put her in harm's way by hiring random vagrants to work on their house. It wasn't a totally random kidnapping; the guy had been there before. The kidnapping would never have happened if her parents hadn't been total morons. Elizabeth is very forgiving.

Thing is, a *lot* of Mormon guys ping. A lot of them might also be gay, but you just never know. Ed Smart pinged more than most but I still didn't think he'd ever come out. I worked with a Mormon guy, married with kids, who flamed from space and was a huge Luther Vandross fan. Maybe he'll come out in his 60s too.

There's hope for Hunter Parrish.

Everyone is a big Luther Vandross fan, if they've ever heard Luther sing. Has nothing to do with sexuality.

Now if you're a big Madonna fan, or Cher, or Patti Labelle. That's different.

Luther's mainstream success was limited and that hasn't changed after his death.

Side note: I still can't get over the fact Elizabeth didn't get any therapy after her abduction. She said so in her book.

By mainstream you mean white. Luther's fans were not primarily fags is my point.

Most male singers have a mainly female fanbase. Luther was no different.

Will he follow Aaron to West Hollywood for 24/7 action, or opt for caftan/earrings tea spilling in Palm Springs?

He gets to ditch the magic underwear. He will feel like he's free-balling after wearing those all his life.

Hot damn! I won the office pool! Those bitches owe me lunch at the local Olive Garden. All you can eat salad and breadsticks!!!

R154 she's got Scottish cock now. She's all good.

No kidding? Do you think the wife didn't know?

It's the special Mormon underwear; it turns 'em gay.

Has anyone here ever hooked up with a closeted Mormon guy?

I'm glad for him that he had the courage. It must be even harder to do this at his age, especially after having been married to a woman. Gay men and women ought to be proud of him really. Better late than never.

The wife surely knew. You can't live with someone for decades and not know that he is gay. She is likely the type to try to pray it all away.

Based on what I’ve seen in my own family — my father married an LDS divorcée with five kids, converted, fathered three kids with her and then adopted another one, most of whom are married with their own families now — presenting the image of a perfect family to the world takes precedence over praying anything away or even being too concerned with what goes on behind closed doors, as long as it stays behind closed doors.

It’s all about the facade and now that Lois’s has been shattered on the world’s stage, I guarantee you that his coming out has hit her so much harder than knowing she was married to a closeted gay man ever did.

For all we know, Lois has been happily scissoring on the side since the honeymoon.

He gave an interview to Radar. Apparently Elizabeth is very supportive.

Doesn't Elizabeth have just the creepiest smile? Like Gloria Vanderbuilt's "screaming smile".

I would have to suspect that he has a boyfriend. Otherwise, why would he go to the trouble?

The daughter has a strange unhappy smiling face = abuse. Does anyone know if she was ever abused?

The entire LDS church is so profoundly fucked up that it's not even interesting how it harms its congregants. It's like Scientology in that way. And Catholocism. They are rigidly hierarchical and shot through with authorities, and demi-authorities, and petit-authorities. All those 'officials' holding a fuck of a lot of power. Of course, they become drunk with their little bit of power. Of course, they put their grasp on power ahead of everything but the source of their power. And, of course, they harm everyone around them with less power.

Of course people get damaged by these institutions. But they can be so easily avoided. Just don't go. Think for yourself, instead. Protect yourself and your family, as best you can, from these harmful power structures.

I'm not at all surprised that he's gay, but I am surprised that he's come out. The family seems so devout that I thought he would take it to his grave. I agree with those who say he was probably being blackmailed.

#172 = Roseanne Barr

Definitely a bottom.

[quote]And picking out a rainbow jockstrap for him to wear.

[quote]Doesn't she have assburgers?

I've always noticed Elizabeth's odd smile (stilted, forced) and sad (dead?) eyes. That is sad and I don't mean that sarcastically.

Another one with a stilted smile is that Duggar wife, the one married to the brother who molested his sisters.

Maybe Elizabeth can leave that church now that her dad's taken that step. If she hasn't gone to therapy, she really needs to deal with her childhood trauma.

Someone said Liz is with a Scot. Did he convert to Mormonism?

R171 she was raped daily and homeless for almost a year. Does that count?

R180 her husband is Mormon from birth. They met during their missions

R147 Supposedly several years back he "admitted" in some interview that according to today's terms he would classify himself as bisexual and that he doesn't plan on leaving his wife.

[quote]she was raped daily and homeless for almost a year. Does that count?

I didn't know that. She was living on the streets and raped everyday. No wonder she looks so sad. Was she a heroin addict? I think Dr. Phil helped get her into rehab iirc. Her queeny father must have be sick with worry. Judge not lest you be judged. Haven't they all suffered enough and now he's gonna be gay too!

Lois and Ed fornicated for the benefit of procreation. Period.

Lois and Ed look like siblings.

You do have to wonder about women who marry obviously gay men. I saw an old interview with him and the purses flying out of his mouth were practically hitting the interviewer. Was Lois that naive?

They're Mormons. Don't Mormons have their own Conversion Therapy?

R188 there is a switch for it

There’s a podcast on YouTube called Mormonstories. It features Mormons who finally woke up and realized the church was a fake. So cultish these people with their warped minds finally waking up. Anyway, interesting podcast. I assume Ed will be featured at some point.

He's a fine man with a lot to offer. He's just had it so long no one will want it anymore.

R184 she was kidnapped out of her bedroom when she was 13 and held by a crazy guy and his crazy wife who made her into a sex slave.

Another disheartening Mormon YouTube channel called Mormon After with a hot dude.

He looks a lot like the late actor, Geoffrey Lewis.

Is he a top or bottom?