--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and…" description: "\"When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were mere blips on the gaydar; and they were both still in the closet.\" — Beth Ditto" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png" --- # When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were… ![“When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were mere blips on the gaydar; and they were both still in the closet.” quote by Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png) > “When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were mere blips on the gaydar; and they were both still in the closet.” [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects on how LGBTQ icons were once hidden and not publicly out, highlighting past secrecy. **In simple terms:** LGBTQ figures were once hidden. Key Takeaway Recognize progress in visibility. Themes visibility LGBTQ+ history media representation Mood reflective hopeful Type observational historical When to use this quote - personal growth - media analysis - cultural change Key Concepts coming out social acceptance public identity Questions to Reflect On - How has LGBTQ representation changed since then? - What barriers remain for hidden identities? A Different Perspective Visibility still faces backlash in some regions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blips Gaydar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blips-gaydar-3851189/) [Both](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/both/) [Closet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closet/) [Closets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closets/) [Donnell Mere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/donnell-mere-3851191/) [Ellen Degeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ellen-degeneres/) [Gaydar Closet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaydar-closet-3851190/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Mere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere/) [Mere Blips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere-blips-1568073/) [Rosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rosie/) [Rosie o donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rosie-o-donnell/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) ## Related quotes > [Lives are mere blips on the canvas of eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/lives-are-mere-blips-on-the-canvas-of-eternity/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I remember going onstage on Broadway in this Leigh Bowery thing for a track like "Ich Bin Kunst." I've got breasts, this latex dripping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/i-remember-going-onstage-on-broadway-in-this-leigh-bowery-thing-for-a/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [Part of the reason why I've never said that I was gay until now was because I didn't want that adjective assigned to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-o-donnell/part-of-the-reason-why-i-ve-never-said-that-i-was-gay-until-now-was/) [Rosie O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-o-donnell/) > [Do you ever think about having sex with Rosie O'Donnell because you are straight? Same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thorne/do-you-ever-think-about-having-sex-with-rosie-o-donnell-because-you/) [David Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thorne/) > [I was looking through a newspaper and it was an audition for 'Kids Say the Darndest Things,' so I tried out. One thing led…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-looking-through-a-newspaper-and-it-was-an-audition-for-kids-say/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Later, when I was at Caesar's Palace, and \[Joe and Gil Cates\] were trying to get me to have opening acts for the show,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/later-when-i-was-at-caesar-s-palace-and-joe-and-gil-cates-were-trying/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [He lasted about as long as the dessert tray at Rosie O'Donnell's house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-miller/he-lasted-about-as-long-as-the-dessert-tray-at-rosie-o-donnell-s-house/) [Dennis Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-miller/) > [“While I do not have a boyfriend, I do have a friend who is homosexual and I once asked him "Do you ever think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thorne/while-i-do-not-have-a-boyfriend-i-do-have-a-friend-who-is-homosexual/) [David Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thorne/) > [ Hillary \[Clinton\] is hitting me with tremendous commercials. Some of it's said in entertainment. Some of it's said - somebody who's been very vicious… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/hillary-clinton-is-hitting-me-with-tremendous-commercials-some-of-it/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I don't know the fitness that Donald Trump possesses to be commenting on other people's heroism. The most lethal foe that he is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rosen/i-don-t-know-the-fitness-that-donald-trump-possesses-to-be-commenting/) [James Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rosen/) > [“Finding and keeping a lifelong partner is a common dream of all girls, everywhere. Women love men (well, most of us, anyway--Ellen DeGeneres is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/finding-and-keeping-a-lifelong-partner-is-a-common-dream-of-all-girls/) [deborah ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) > [I really can't wait to dance with Ellen DeGeneres!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-jones/i-really-can-t-wait-to-dance-with-ellen-degeneres/) [Sharon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-jones/) > [When our video of 'Smooth Criminal' came out, suddenly we started getting all kinds of offers. We were getting calls from TV shows like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luka-sulic/when-our-video-of-smooth-criminal-came-out-suddenly-we-started/) [Luka Sulic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luka-sulic/) > [I was doing stand-up at a restaurant and there was a chalkboard on the street out front. It said, Soup of the Day: Cream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-was-doing-stand-up-at-a-restaurant-and-there-was-a-chalkboard-on/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [After months of speculation, the sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres admitted that yes, she's gay. Inspired by her courage, today, diet-guru Richard Simmons admitted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/after-months-of-speculation-the-sitcom-star-ellen-degeneres-admitted/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## More by Beth Ditto > [I was overcome by the Holy Ghost one time, but in a Baptist way. I was six or seven, and I was saved. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-was-overcome-by-the-holy-ghost-one-time-but-in-a-baptist-way-i-was/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I've never had a very quiet voice. I tried in choir to make it smaller, and it just didn't work out. And I listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-ve-never-had-a-very-quiet-voice-i-tried-in-choir-to-make-it-smaller/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Someone told me once that Lucinda Williams takes six years between albums, and that's what stuck to me; it's like, you really are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/someone-told-me-once-that-lucinda-williams-takes-six-years-between/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [True love is about being able to accept raw emotions, no matter how difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/true-love-is-about-being-able-to-accept-raw-emotions-no-matter-how/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Granny Ditto always referred to perfume as 'smell good' and for me it's an essential. I have a sweetheart who's extremely allergic to most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/granny-ditto-always-referred-to-perfume-as-smell-good-and-for-me-it-s/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [When I think about the idea of Rebel Wilson having to go to the Oscars and not having something amazing to wear that's made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/when-i-think-about-the-idea-of-rebel-wilson-having-to-go-to-the/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I was born fat and have always been, which was just fine and even healthy and cute until I turned ten or so. Puberty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-was-born-fat-and-have-always-been-which-was-just-fine-and-even/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Growing up as a chubby kid with a ton of imaginary friends and a Cyndi Lauper obsession, I learned about rejection early on and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/growing-up-as-a-chubby-kid-with-a-ton-of-imaginary-friends-and-a/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [This archaic idea - that a woman who is unmarried and childless at 30 is somehow unnatural - will probably always exist, and, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/this-archaic-idea-that-a-woman-who-is-unmarried-and-childless-at-30/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Not everyone wants to be sexy everyday, wearing tight dresses and spanx.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/not-everyone-wants-to-be-sexy-everyday-wearing-tight-dresses-and-spanx/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Here is my prescription to heal all wounds. Watch the film 'Funny Girl' at least five times, eat at least 45 chocolate bars, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/here-is-my-prescription-to-heal-all-wounds-watch-the-film-funny-girl/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [As a kid, I was always mad - just noticing the women at Thanksgiving, running around the kitchen, while the men were watching football.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/as-a-kid-i-was-always-mad-just-noticing-the-women-at-thanksgiving/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [You know, either I'm too fat or I'm flavour of the month. I don't feel either, but maybe I'm both, who knows?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/you-know-either-i-m-too-fat-or-i-m-flavour-of-the-month-i-don-t-feel/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [A weird thing about Gossip that I've always said: 'If I weren't in this band, I would never listen to it.' But I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/a-weird-thing-about-gossip-that-i-ve-always-said-if-i-weren-t-in-this/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I worshipped Ethel Merman and I worshipped Ethel Merman a lot. It's incredible - Ethel Merman was a conventional singer. Her naming her child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-worshipped-ethel-merman-and-i-worshipped-ethel-merman-a-lot-it-s/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) [Explore all 142 Beth Ditto quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) ## More Both quotes > [Well this is aptly called a junket, for both of us. I have never been to a house of prostitution, but I understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/well-this-is-aptly-called-a-junket-for-both-of-us-i-have-never-been/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [It's almost inevitable there's going to be an escalation on both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-luther/it-s-almost-inevitable-there-s-going-to-be-an-escalation-on-both-sides/) [Bill Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-luther/) > ['Inequality' has become the political theme/slogan of our time in both Europe and the U.S., yet political leaders do not even bother to consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-singer/inequality-has-become-the-political-theme-slogan-of-our-time-in-both/) [Paul Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-singer/) > [I am excited to partner with Aeropostale for my very own collection. It was a great experience to be able to work with them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethany-mota/i-am-excited-to-partner-with-aeropostale-for-my-very-own-collection/) [Bethany Mota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethany-mota/) > [I went straight from high school to 'Gossip Girl,' and both were very structured, scheduled environments, so I never had freedom to explore and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-lively/i-went-straight-from-high-school-to-gossip-girl-and-both-were-very/) [Blake Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-lively/) > [My characters in both 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' films were so relatable that every other guy connects with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kartik-aaryan/my-characters-in-both-pyaar-ka-punchnama-films-were-so-relatable-that/) [Kartik Aaryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kartik-aaryan/) > [It was both necessary and desirable for us to be so strong at sea that no Sea Power could attack us without risk, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernhard-von-bulow/it-was-both-necessary-and-desirable-for-us-to-be-so-strong-at-sea/) [Bernhard von Bulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernhard-von-bulow/) > [I turned to my mom and said, 'I'm going to be a martial arts movie star.' 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They were both immigrant families that - well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jackson/my-parents-were-had-a-marriage-of-passion-and-the-passion-was-about/) [Phil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jackson/) > [Both my wife and I are optimists and we look at the positives in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-fogle/both-my-wife-and-i-are-optimists-and-we-look-at-the-positives-in-life/) [Ben Fogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-fogle/) > [I am married to a writer, and this - writing - is an odd enterprise. It's something we both support very strongly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siri-hustvedt/i-am-married-to-a-writer-and-this-writing-is-an-odd-enterprise-it-s/) [Siri Hustvedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siri-hustvedt/) > [But if you listen to great piano players, both classical and jazz, there's a huge range of dynamics and colors and emotional expression that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-burton/but-if-you-listen-to-great-piano-players-both-classical-and-jazz/) [Gary Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-burton/) [Browse all 2,155 Both quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/both/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were mere blips on the gaydar; and they were both still in the closet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Beth Ditto" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-rosie-o-donnell-were-mere-blips/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Both" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-rosie-o-donnell-were-mere-blips/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/048/beth-ditto-3017_both_when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-ros_438616.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was a kid, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell were mere blips on the gaydar; and they were both…” — Beth Ditto", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Beth Ditto", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was a kid, Ellen...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-rosie-o-donnell-were-mere-blips/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/when-i-was-a-kid-ellen-degeneres-and-rosie-o-donnell-were-mere-blips/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```