Jim McGreevey, the former governor of New Jersey who came out in a news conference with his "I'm a gay American," announcement in August of 2004, was interviewed on Oprah today. McGreevey's book "The Confession" is in bookstores today.

In the interview McGreevey spoke about his childhood, the realization that he was different, and his Catholic upbringing that labeled homosexuality as an "abomination." While he never stated it explicitly and the point had to be made by Oprah, McGreevey knew that a wife was necessary to maintain the appearance of a traditional politician and to be elected to office. And with very little detail, McGreevey spoke of his encounters with gay men in places that he described as "hell."

Towards the end of the interview, McGreevey introduced his partner, Mark O'Donnell, the first man with whom he has had an open, honest relationship with.

The interview was easily one of Oprah's best. One thing that she went back to several times during her time with McGreevey was his wife, Dena, and her reaction to the news. McGreevey also has two daughters, one from each of his ex-wives.

There was one particularly candid moment when McGreevey described how he would buy and then look through Playboy magazines in an attempt to turn himself straight.

Oprah asked, "And nothing happened?"

McGreevey smiled back and said, "Well once in a while!"

Posted by Ace

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 9:37 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.