Wanda Sykes says she’s ‘proud to be gay’

Wanda Sykes says she’s ‘proud to be gay’

LAS VEGAS — Comedian Wanda Sykes says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about being gay.

“You know, I don’t really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn’t feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life,” Sykes told a crowd at a gay-rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.

“Everybody that knows me personally they know I’m gay. But that’s the way people should be able to live their lives,” she said.

Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California’s Proposition 8 made her feel like she was “attacked.”

“Now, I gotta get in their face,” she said. “I’m proud to be a woman. I’m proud to be a black woman, and I’m proud to be gay.”

Sykes’ appearance at the Las Vegas rally surprised organizers. She was in town performing at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Ariz. governor hits big time — an ‘SNL’ parody

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has hit a milestone in any politician’s career — she was parodied on “Saturday Night Live.”

The brief impersonation by cast member Kristen Wiig came during host Paul Rudd’s opening monologue.

Rudd discussed the show’s popular political impersonations and assured the audience there were plenty of good impressions left to do.

That included Napolitano, a Democrat mentioned as a possible attorney general in Barack Obama’s administration.

Wiig then came out donning Napolitano’s hairstyle — short and black with a gray spot in the front.

She walked offstage awkwardly after giving an oversimplified answer on how she would secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Today’s birthdays

Guitarist Gerry McGee of The Ventures is 71. Singer Gordon Lightfoot is 70. Movie director Martin Scorsese is 66. Actress Lauren Hutton is 65. “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels is 64. Actor-director Danny DeVito is 64. Actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is 50. Entertainer RuPaul is 48. Actress-model Daisy Fuentes is 42. Singer Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe is 41. Actor Brandon Call (“Step By Step”) is 32. Country singer Aaron Lines is 31. Actress Rachel McAdams (“Wedding Crashers”) is 30. Guitarist Isaac Hanson of Hanson is 28. Actor Justin Cooper (“Liar, Liar”) is 20. Actress Raquel Castro (“Jersey Girl”) is 14.