Miss Cleo Puts Her Cards On Table

By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Monday, September 25 2006, 11:16AM

Youree Dell Harris, better known as Miss Cleo, has told the world what few people predicted -- she's a lesbian. The once popular television figure known for the catch-phrases "The cards never lie!" and "Call me now, babies," made a career by playing the role of a Jamaican infomercial psychic who would give special tarot card readings to callers.

After some controversy in 2001 and 2002, a Florida newspaper reported that Miss Cleo's birth certificate identifies her as Youree Harris, and that she was born in the United States. More recently, the news of Miss Cleo's sexuality was first published in the October 2006 issue of The Advocate magazine, where Miss Cleo may be launching her comeback. Later this year, she is set to join the cast of the reality series The Surreal Life, which is scheduled to air in late 2006 or early 2007.

Miss Cleo, who now identifies herself more as a "shaman" than a psychic, tells The Advocate that she decided to come out after speaking to her 16-year-old godson who was coming out on his own. Cleo now "performs weddings—both gay and straight —and house cleansings and blessings," she said.

So if she could see the future, what took her so long to come to terms with it? “The reason it’s scary is because in my personal experience, black cultures throughout the world have a more difficult time accepting homosexuality in their family," she said. "I have family members who will be shocked; they don’t know. I have some family members who are very close to me, and they do know. But I’ve been afraid of the wrath, of the exile. When I came out to a number of friends in the late ’80s I had a number of friends who turned their backs on me and walked away. That was really intense."

Personally, I can't see the future, but I'm willing to predict that her coming out will have a positive effect on the community. When someone who knows Miss Cleo finds out that she is a lesbian, that will help that person to re-think what it means to be a lesbian. The more people who come out, especially in the black community, the more we can challenge the stereotype of what it means to be gay or lesbian.

So I've got an offer for Miss Cleo. If you're listening now, call me baby. Let's talk. I'd be happy to interview you and share your story with others. It's toll free too.

Comments (10) reveal

Comments conceal

Derrick from Philly
September 25 2006, 11:30AM

Well, nobody ever claimed that gay folks were all virtuous. We know how to steal people's money too. Go on, Sister Cleo. Take them fools for all you can--just like T.D. Jakes and them do. By the way, I'm a March Pisces--is there a man in my future, or just more discount porn?

The Empress
September 25 2006, 11:32AM

Oh wow. Out of the mouth of babes. We all have learned a thing or two from children (or teenagers). I wish her peace in the future.

THanks for sharing Keith. You are the BESTest!

The Captain
September 25 2006, 11:52AM

Well...that's all she wrote!

Kenneth Winfrey[TypeKey Profile Page]
September 25 2006, 12:10PM

...but before you dismiss her altogether, remember that homosexuals were the spritual resource of indigenous and ancient culture (the "Gatekeepers" of the Dagara tribe, the Two-Sprited tradition of Native Americans.

Without these clearly defined roles within our ethnic groups today, was her 1-900 line a desperate attempt to reclaim a place as spiritual guide or "Gatekeeper," so-to-speak?

Maybe Miss Cleo (or Madam Cleo) wasn't a real psychic, but I think that we, as same-gender loving people, should more readily accept our divine uniqueness, in general.

If you carry a good luck charm, pick up pennies for good fortune, and if you don't split poles or walk on cracks, then why wouldn't you believe that some people can have estra-sensory perception?

-G-
September 25 2006, 3:11PM

Ms Cleo look like Queen Latifah with a rag on her head! That might be Queen Latifah, she can fake the carribean accent a little bit.......Damn! What if the news broke and Ms Cleo was actually Latifah...Hmmmm...LMAO!

Rashid
September 25 2006, 8:14PM

In a strange sort of way.....this news made my day.

DDC
September 26 2006, 2:34AM

This is newsworthy, but not sensational. After all, she's a woman and not a guy. People will be comfortable with it once the news sinks in. Plus, I think it may even play into her mystic, earth-mother image. Good for her for having bravery.

blacklatina
September 26 2006, 2:45AM

OMG G...that is hilarious...yeah, what if?

Luddite
September 26 2006, 9:48AM

I always loved Miss Cleo! Even more so now. I still leave voicemails to my friends saying (in a fake Jamaican accent) "call me for ya free readin"!

A lot of times when female callers would ask about their man Miss Cleo would say "is he incarcerated"? Here I was thinking Miss Cleo was into Prison Trade, but how wrong I was.

She should have had her own talk show.

sunburn
September 26 2006, 10:47PM

so is the miss cleo in that red bikini? if it is, i ain't mad. that aki and salfish is looking good on her.


Post a comment