Buddy Comes Out

Kristy McNichol, the Emmy-winning teen star of the 70s drama Family, has come out at the age of 49. McNichol's butch character Buddy was the subject of much speculation and not a few fantasies among young lesbians of the day.

McNichol, 49, who has lived with her partner Martie Allen, also 49, for the past two decades, decided to make a statement about her sexuality and share this photo because she is "approaching 50" and wants to "be open about who I am." She "is very sad about kids being bullied," her publicist Jeff Ballard tells PEOPLE. "She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different."

McNichol retired from acting twenty years ago after her very public battle with bipolar disorder had been splayed across the world's tabloids. (Via - Boy Culture)