Joy Behar Under Fire for Comments About Coming Out on ‘The View’

Joy Behar is in a bit of hot water over a quip she made last week on The View — although some folks still find it hilarious, and even empowering. The talk show celebrated Thanksgiving last Wednesday (11/24), and in honor of the holiday, the panelists discussed the idea of opening up the Pandora’s box of hot topics at the dinner table. While they all agreed that it’s important to tackle hard discussions involving politics, religion, and more, Behar spouted out a new challenge that’s been met with mixed reactions: come out to your family at the dinner table.

“I would like to suggest that everybody out there come out to your family this Thanksgiving,” Behar said bluntly. “Just come out. See what happens.”

While she earned some approval, most of the panel was still confused. “I’m sorry,” moderator Whoopi Goldberg responded. “I’m just curious. Come out the door? Come out — what do you mean?”

“Come out gay. If you’re gay, come out,” Behar said, clarifying what she meant. “Be yourself. You know what, I’m old enough now to know that life is short, because it went by like that [snaps]. It’s not over yet, so that’s why I can still keep yakking. I say that you should be yourself. This is my philosophy in life. I’m here 25 years, I’m always the same: annoying as I am.”

Quickly, The View audiences took to social media to express their confusion over the statement Behar was attempting to make. While some were entirely befuddled, others had a great time laughing over the bizarre challenge. “I couldn’t tell if she was encouraging people or threatening them,” one user said in response to the clip.

After the clip took off on social media, a handful of folks denounced Behar for being so flippant about the matter. “Joy Behar tells gay people to come out the closet this Thanksgiving,” one user shared. “I swear this woman says a lot of stupid things on #TheView who is she to tell someone that is financially dependent to their guardians to come out? The hosts seem to agree with her ignorance.”

But it appears the argument is two-sided, as some folks have applauded Behar’s encouraging message to the LGBTQ+ community around the country. “Good advice from Joy,” one user tweeted. “Life is too short. Be happy. Be yourself. Come out if you feel safe and ready to do so.”

The View airs weekdays on ABC at 11/10c.

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