Can You Sue Somebody Who Says You're Gay

[Suspira]

Being in solitary, as required for your own safety, isn't fun.

Well, remember, while somebody died on the emergency floor at MLK Hospital, Paris had a headache and was rushed to a hospital suite. I'd say her treatment was different. The '40s bandleader Artie Shaw had a dashboard full of warnings for his bad driving. No one ever gave him a ticket. I was involved in a situation where the people opposing me had huge influence and money, and the Homeland Security Act was used to threaten me. I was told if I didn't cooperate, I would be accused of terrorism.

Okay, back to someone saying you're gay. I don't understand how in this day and age this is defamation. Tom Cruise is a different story as he has an image to protect and it could seriously affect his earnings. And how do you prove you're not gay?

[seniorjudge]

How do you prove someone is gay?

In fact, how do you prove someone is straight?

Thinking further, why should who you have in bed with you be anyone's business but the critters who are in the bed with you (assuming they are of age)?

[Suspira]

How do you prove someone is gay?

In fact, how do you prove someone is straight?

Thinking further, why should who you have in bed with you be anyone's business but the critters who are in the bed with you (assuming they are of age)?

I agree. I'm just wondering if it counts as defamation. I suppose you'd prove someone is gay by having someone follow them like in a divorce case. If you investigate someone and all you come up with is a list of girlfriends - I mean, it proves nothing, but it's something. I just don't know why anyone would go through the trouble.

[cbg]

I don't know why anyone cares.

Whether it is or is not considered defamation (and I think it would depend on where you are whether it is or not) in my opinion it should not be.

[jojo4]

The key is what damages would the wrongfully categorized person claim?

As was stated, in Tom Cruise's case, the accusation could seriously harm his earning potential. So the average Joe who is a word processor would suffer what?

[cbg]

Not with me. I don't give a hoot what anyone does in the bedroom, let alone celebrities. As long as no animals are involved and everyone is over age and consenting, why is it any of anyone else's business?

[jojo4]

I don't care, either. I always think that if someone is so concerned about what is going on in someone else's bedroom, they don't have enough going on in his or hers.

I was just saying that in order to bring a successful defamation suit, there needs to be actual damages AND it must be proven that the person who made a false statement, must have KNOWN and purposely made the false statement to cause harm.