Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of sexual assault

Kevin Spacey evaded questions about his sexuality for years, insisting that it was a private matter even as Hollywood gossip surrounded him. On Sunday, the celebrated actor confirmed what had long been whispered: “I choose now to live as a gay man,” he wrote.



But some of those who might have supported him were instead incensed by the implication that his sexuality was relevant to an accusation, reported by BuzzFeed News, that he had made a sexual advance toward a 14-year-old boy 31 years ago. They saw his coming out story as an intentional distraction from the accusation and a damaging conflation of homosexuality and pedophilia.



The sentiment expressed by Mr. Eichner, an actor, was shared across Hollywood and the gay community, as people criticized the timing and tactics of Mr. Spacey’s response. Some also directed ire at news organizations that appeared to focus more on Mr. Spacey’s coming out than the sexual misconduct accusations.