Betty DeGeneres
Encyclopedia
Betty DeGeneres is an LGBT-rights
activist from New Orleans, Louisiana
. She is the mother of Ellen
and Vance DeGeneres
, and the first non-gay spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign
's National Coming Out Project and an active member of PFLAG. She first gained notability following her daughter Ellen's highly-publicized coming out
in 1997.
She is the author of two books, Love Ellen and Just a Mom. In Love, Ellen: A Mother Daughter Journey she describes her reaction to her daughter coming out as a lesbian, and her path from passive acceptance to becoming a passionate advocate for LGBT rights. She also describes the media scrutiny she received after Ellen came out. Her second book, Just a Mom continues these themes. She also writes a column for the website PlanetOut called "Ask Betty."
DeGeneres appeared as an extra in the television episode, The Puppy Episode
, where her daughter Ellen's character comes out.
DeGeneres was born in New Orleans. She attended Louisiana State University
for two years and married Elliot DeGeneres in 1952. She and Elliot are now divorced.
DeGeneres is a breast cancer survivor and discusses this during her public appearances.
LGBT social movements
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender social movements share inter-related goals of social acceptance of sexual and gender minorities. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies have a long history of campaigning for what is generally called LGBT rights, also called gay...
activist from New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. She is the mother of Ellen
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season....
and Vance DeGeneres
Vance DeGeneres
Vance Elliott DeGeneres is an American actor, musician, film producer and screenwriter, known for his work in television...
, and the first non-gay spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
's National Coming Out Project and an active member of PFLAG. She first gained notability following her daughter Ellen's highly-publicized coming out
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
in 1997.
She is the author of two books, Love Ellen and Just a Mom. In Love, Ellen: A Mother Daughter Journey she describes her reaction to her daughter coming out as a lesbian, and her path from passive acceptance to becoming a passionate advocate for LGBT rights. She also describes the media scrutiny she received after Ellen came out. Her second book, Just a Mom continues these themes. She also writes a column for the website PlanetOut called "Ask Betty."
DeGeneres appeared as an extra in the television episode, The Puppy Episode
The Puppy Episode
"The Puppy Episode" is a two-part episode of the situation comedy television series Ellen. The episode details lead character Ellen Morgan's realization that she is a lesbian and her coming out. It was the 22nd and 23rd episode of the series' 4th season...
, where her daughter Ellen's character comes out.
DeGeneres was born in New Orleans. She attended Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
for two years and married Elliot DeGeneres in 1952. She and Elliot are now divorced.
DeGeneres is a breast cancer survivor and discusses this during her public appearances.