Beccy Cole
She said she wanted to set an example for her 13-year-old son. She wanted him to see his mum “standing up and being true”.
And that’s why country singer Beccy Cole has spoken publicly about her sexuality for the first time. On Australian Story tonight, Cole reveals she’s a lesbian.
Cole – who has won 9 Golden Guitar awards – says she realised she was gay after her marriage to fiddler Mick Albeck ended in 1999.
“It’s definitely uncomfortable if you’ve got a big part of yourself, if such an important part of yourself is a secret and kept inside,” she said.
“While you can have your privacy and all that, there are certain times and certain issues where I want to set an example to (my son).
“In the darkness of an evening, sometimes that has been a difficult thing for me to cope with over the years.
She said she had never hidden who she was from her son.
“What started me thinking about revealing this more publicly was he was bringing a friend home and said ‘Don’t worry mum, I haven’t said anything’.
“My 13-year-old son was trying to protect me.
“It’s such a crucial time for him and he needs to see his mum standing up,” she said.
Comments
31 Comments so far
It was the BEST thing Bec could of done for her and her son all the best
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Is it really necessary to post a photo of her sitting in such a way with her legs apart? Way to play into lesbian stereotypes. Ugh
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Um, what?
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that all les are masculine.
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Being a dyke myself, yes, I am aware of the stereotype (which, by the way, is only about 50% true).
I just don’t see anything of that in this picture. It just looks like a woman with a guitar. And you know what? So what if she did choose to appear “masculine” if that was how she was comfortable. Gender stereotypes are stupid, outdated and have nothing whatsoever to do with sexuality. What is this, the 50s?
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My point exactly. Dont attach masculine stereotype photos to dykes.
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It isn’t, though. She’s just sitting with a guitar. And even if she was “masculine”, so what?
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What a great episode of Australian Story that was. I’ve always been a Beccy Cole fan and always will be. Love her and her music.
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Why make a fuss…Don’t bore us, get on with it. You’re a great performer.
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I feel for her ex husband, what a shame she could not have been true to herself earlier. It is hard for the ex in these cases, so while we are all celebrating her and cheering, lets remember how hard it must have been for the other half. At least she got her kids out of it, maybe the marriage was the means to that end?
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Jesus.
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Please dont blaspheme or swear on this site. I find it offensive.
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That is SO rude.
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I feel for whoever is involved with you.
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If you watched the show you’d realise he left her long before she realized she was gay & and her “kids” is a singular 13year old boy. Be informed before commenting on something you clearly didn’t watch anon
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And her son seems to be a lovely, thoughtful boy who fully understands and is comfortable with the situation.
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I’m one of these odd-bods who doesn’t give a toss whether you are gay or straight.
It just doesn’t bother me. And nor should it.
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Agreed, Bradley, in theory. And if we were living in a post-homophobic world, this would not be news. But as things stand, we need people to publicly come out. It is so important, particularly for the wellbeing of young, isolated, gay people from rural areas.
Having artists with mainstream appeal (especially with mainstream appeal to people from regional/rural Australia) come out makes a difference. While I don’t think anyone is obliged to come out, it’s wonderful when they do.
I’m gay myself. If you’re not, I’m pulling rank on this one. I know what I’m talking about. It’s really difficult to describe what it’s like to someone who doesn’t experience it. I don’t wander around with victim mentality or a persecution complex, I don’t experience much direct homophobia myself (although I have an uncomfortable inkling that in some cases it’s because I don’t look stereotypically gay) but there are myriad ways we are regularly made to feel “less than”.
This helps, it does. I commend Beccy for it.
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Good on her. This is so great.
Is it tacky of me to wonder aloud whether she’s single…?
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Wooo! She is!
Call me. I’m nice.
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Obviously I must live under a rock. Who is Beccy Cole?
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Agree, never heard of her. And really couldn’t care less what her sexual preferences are. Not impressed with Australian Story on this one.
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Australian Story repeatedly introduces us to people and stories that are little known. That’s the beauty and joy of the program. It doesn’t really matter that you don’t know Beccy Cole, what matters is her story.
I must admit I didn’t have a clue who Beccy Cole was until she was introduced to a hall of parents and families at an end of year school concert at my children’s primary school on the NSW central coast. She was introduced as a parent of one of the students – her son was in Year 1 at the time.
She sang two songs and brought the house down. She helped out in the school canteen, just a mum and a pretty awesome woman, completely down to earth except when she name-dropped people and you realised she was talking about other singers.
I think she’s awesome. Still couldn’t identify any of her songs though.
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How wonderful for Beccy & her son, there is nothing like being true to yourself and nothing more empowering than doing it for your child. He shouldn’t have to, need to or want to feel he needs to keep a secret or live a lie. He will be so proud of you Beccy as I am, you go girl!
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Congrats Beccy! Happy for you and hope things are easier for you now!!
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Congratulations Beccy. A healthy decision
)
I felt it was one of my healthiest decision I made too.
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Good on you Beccy! My 4 year old daughter is a huge fan (well, we all are really!)
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Good on you Beccy, as a person with a father who was gay, I was made to keep the secret for years and years and years, as well as hiding from the world that my mother was a functioning alcoholic. Thank you for considering your son’s feelings, as I personally know the damage of what it was like to keep someone’s elses deep dark secrets for so long. I continually reflect long and hard about how differently adjusted my sisters and I would be if my family lived on principles of honesty and openess rather then hiding their true selves…. Secrets and lies affect people on such an individual and deep level. You have made such a good decision and your son will respect you for it.
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Good for you Beccy. Sounds like you’ve got an awesome son there, protecting you
All the best. Keep smiling that beautiful smile.
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This story is actually very interesting. Why did it never get a home-page spot?
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I agree with you. It will probably get promoted tomorrow, AFTER the show has aired and everyone missed it…
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