'Party Of Five's' Mitchell Anderson Speaks Up

"In Germany, they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, but I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up."

Rev. Martin Niemoeller,
Lutheran pastor and Dachau concentration camp prisoner from 1938-44.

Out In The Open
Although actor Mitchell Anderson has racked up an impressive number of television and film credits, he's also become widely known for another reason: Anderson is openly gay.

It is no secret that there are thousands of gay and lesbians who have made and are making significant contributions in Hollywood. But to be outspoken about their sexuality puts them at great risk in careers. So when Anderson announced that he was gay in 1996, he was ready for backlash.

It never came.

In fact, Anderson's career has flourished. But as Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard's death proved last year, being gay or lesbian in America is still far from being fully understood or accepted. This is part of the reason why Anderson publicly came out and why he is fighting for equal rights for all Americans.

Party Favors
First and foremost, Anderson is an actor. Perhaps most of us remember him as the womanizing Dr. Jack McGuire on the 80s hit sitcom "Doogie Howser, MD" starring Neil Patrick Harris. Others will remember his big break playing Richard Carpenter in "The Karen Carpenter Story."

Anderson has also starred in a string of feature films including: "Space Camp," "Jaws: The Revenge," "Deadly Dreams," "All-American Murder," and "Is There Life Out There?" On television, Anderson has guest starred on dozens of shows and starred in "The Hitchhiker" series. But most television viewers know his as Ross on the Fox primetime drama "Party of Five."

Living Out Loud
When Anderson announced that he was gay before a packed Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) event in 1996, he risked losing a career that was enjoying a steady climb.

But he tells me that he "didn't feel right" about not speaking about his sexuality, especially in light of the character he was playing on "Party of Five." His character, Ross, is Claudia's gay music teacher.

Anderson said that, although it was a bit frightening, coming out was the "proudest" moment of his life. He tells me that he felt free and honest with himself and the world.

To the credit of Hollywood and the public, Anderson's career only got better. He became more visible and he actually found more work. Anderson says that he would like to tell me that things got harder, but he can't. The industry's support encouraged him to continue speaking out for causes in which he believed.

No On Knight
Most recently, Anderson has dedicated countless hours for the "No On Knight" campaign in California. You may have caught him with his long-time partner Richie Arpino and Melissa Etheridge and her life-partner Julie Cypher on the cover of a recent issue of The Advocate magazine.

"It's unfair. It's divisive. And it's intrusive." Anderson says of California Proposition 22.

The proposition is named after sponsor State Senator Pete Knight (R), from Palmdale, Calif. Ironically, Knight's son is gay, as was his brother.

The wording for Proposition 22 is fairly straightforward. It reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Doesn't sound too bad, right?

Wrong.

Anderson tells me that the proposition is deceptive and would be harmful to gay and lesbians in California if it passes.

He says that it would "jeopardize hospital visitation rights for same-sex couple, inheritance rights, adoption" and other privileges enjoyed by heterosexual couples in long-term committed relationships.

The fact is, Anderson says, that same-sex marriage is already banned in California and the only purpose of the measure is to provide a place for discrimination to start.

He says that similar propositions in other states have served as springboards for discriminatory legislation that targeted gays, lesbians, and their families or led to the dismantling of anti-discrimination laws.

The danger of this Proposition is that "statistics show that this kind of legislation leads to more bigotry and violence against gays and lesbians," Anderson also tells me.

This actor is hardly alone in his views. Political leaders like presidential hopefuls Vice President Al Gore and Bill Bradley, Sen. Diane Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Assembly Leader Antonio Villaraigosa, California Gov. Gray Davis, and U.S. Rep. Tom Campbell all oppose the proposition.

Heavy Hollywood hitters have also lent their support to defeat the measure. Lily Tomlin, comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, Melissa Etheridge, Rosie O'Donnell, "Party of Five" costar Wilson Cruz, Sharon Stone, Ellen Degeneres, Kristen Johnson, Lorna Luft, "The X-Files'" Gillian Anderson, and the cast of NBC's "Will & Grace" have all come out swinging.

Mainstream community organizations have also decried the measure, with the well-regarded National Council of Churches USA, California Interfaith Alliance, The League of Women Voters, and the California Teachers Association among the most vocal.

Still 'Popular'
There is no question that Anderson is a busy guy. Coupled with his work against Prop. 22, he just co-starred in the 16th Annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Show that raises funds for local AIDS organizations in Southern California.

So what about that onscreen career?

Going strong, apparently.

Although "Party of Five" is in it's last season, Anderson tells me that he just locked into a reoccurring role on the WB surprise hit "Popular." He plays a high school English teacher.

Video stores have also just stocked Anderson's latest film "Relax, It's Just Sex" co-starring Jennifer Tilly.

But with all his work to save the world, will Anderson still have time to go to the set?

"Yes," he tells me laughing. But he says that fighting for equal rights and dispelling myths about gays and lesbians will always be important to him.

And what's the greatest obstacle facing equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans?

Anderson says "apathy" from within the gay community itself is a big problem. He tells me that his fear is that some people feel "tired of fighting" or believe that the fight is already won.

One thing is clear: Anderson is far from finished with his career or his activism.

And that, my friends, is a lesson for all of us. Californians: Go to the polls March 7 and show America that we are fair-minded people who will not tolerate discrimination of any kind, against anybody, in any place. Period.

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