January 28, 2002 

New York: Rosie O'Donnell has finally outed herself, according to people who have seen advance copies of her new book "Find Me".

The sexuality of the soon to be ex-talk-show queen, had been one of the world's worst kept secrets but O'Donnell has said little on the subject herself.

Lately, though, the closet door has been slowly creaking open and her memoir, to be released in April provides a clue as to why she has been so reluctant to go public.

One person who read the galley proofs of the the book said Rosie writes that the show took off so quickly that "she cornered herself into a stereotype."

That she has not gone public before now has angered many gay activists who believe O'Donnell could have been a powerful advocate and role model on her TV show.  She officially leaves the programme in May.

The source who has seen the drafts of the book said that she discusses her sexuality candidly and writes in a very matter of fact style about it.

The book discusses her relationships with women.  She writes about a fellow student breaking her heart in college, but does not name her.

The very first signal the closet door might be slipping open came last year when O'Donnell won a Daytime Emmy and thanked Kelly Carpenter, the woman who is frequently seen with her. From the podium she blurted out, "I love you!" 

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