Liz Smith helped keep Rock Hudson's sexuality under wraps
Lesbian gossip monger Liz Smith has revealed that Rock Hudson came to her about what he should do to avoid the destruction of his career when he was being blackmailed over his sexuality. It appears that the blackmailer was the former Mrs. Rock Hudson, Phyllis Gates, and lady Liz herself had "plenty in my files about the former Mrs. Hudson ... proving that Phyllis herself was not as 'clean as the driven slush.'" As a result Phyllis Gates did not extract money from her ex and Hudson was never exposed for being gay, until he died of AIDS that is. Does Liz think things have really changed? Not really. "Male homosexuality is still the great taboo, the career destroyer. ... It is still The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name. The fear that kept Rock Hudson in the closet is still palpable in Hollywood."
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