Is Joan Jett Gay? Joan Jett is an American rock icon, celebrated for her contributions as a singer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer, and actress.
Her illustrious career spans decades and includes her role as the frontwoman of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, as well as her earlier involvement with the groundbreaking band, the Runaways.
Many remember the Runaways for their hit song “Cherry Bomb,” while Joan’s rendition of “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” with the Blackhearts held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive seven weeks in 1982.
With a repertoire that includes classics like “Bad Reputation,” “Light of Day,” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” Joan Jett’s musical influence is undeniable.
However, there have always been lingering questions about her sexuality, as she has occasionally dropped hints about it over the years. If you’re curious to learn more about Joan Jett’s sexual orientation, this article is here to provide some insight.
Is Joan Jett Gay?
It is unknown whether Joan Jett is gay or not. For many years, Joan Jett chose not to publicly confirm or deny the speculations surrounding her sexual orientation.
In a candid 1994 interview with Out magazine, she artfully responded, saying, “I’m not saying no, I’m not saying yes, I’m saying believe what you want. Assume away—go ahead.”
Her stance remained consistent in 2006 when an interviewer asked about her “coming out” as a lesbian. The 65-year-old singer firmly clarified:
“I never made any kind of statement about my personal life on any level. I never made any proclamations. So I don’t know where people are getting that from.”
Interestingly, in 2016, a memoir by former Runaways guitarist Lita Ford shed some light on the band’s dynamics.
She revealed that she briefly left the group due to her discovery that some members, including Joan, identified as gay. Lita explained her initial surprise, saying:
“First I found out that Sandy, the one I had bonded with the most, was a lesbian. Then I found out that Cherie was messing around with Joan.
I was so freaked out that I quit the band. When I found out that the girls were all gay in the band, I wasn’t sure how to take it. I didn’t know what it was.”
In a 2018 interview with the New York Times, Joan addressed her support for the LGBTQ+ community and her decision not to explicitly declare her orientation.
She pointed to a meaningful necklace she wore, featuring two labrys or axes intersecting with female symbols. Joan emphasized that this necklace had been a constant part of her attire, symbolizing her solidarity.
Furthermore, she lifted her shirt to reveal a tattoo on her lower back, showcasing similar female symbols. In her own words, “I don’t know how much more you can declare.”
Joan Jett’s position on her sexuality, as evident from these instances, has been characterized by a nuanced and private perspective.
Is Joan Jett Married?
No, Jett is single and does not have children. Not to the general public, anyhow. She hasn’t married or had a child yet (unless she’s hiding something).
Additionally, Jett has never really been the kind to talk about her love relationships in public. A great deal of her dating history consists of unfulfilled hookups and rumors.
She went on one of her first dates in the late 1900s. Subsequently, Jett became involved with Kira Roessler, a dialogue editor and musician who had won an Emmy.
She admitted having slept with Jett in a 2015 interview with Alice Bag. She stated in the interview, “Joan Jett was/is the only woman I ever had sex with because she was/is so amazing.” But that was the end of that.
The Runaways bandmate Cherie Currie was the object of Jett’s subsequent liaison. In a 2010 Hitfix interview, it was reported that Jett and Currie had “experimented” together in 1976.
This was largely confirmed in 2016 when Lita Ford disclosed in her biography, Living Like A Runaway, that she had previously quit the band upon learning that all but one of the other members were attracted to women.
In the middle of the 2000s, she entered into her third, if you could even call these relationships that, publically. This time, it was American model and actress Carmen Electra along with Jett.
It was reported in November 2006 that following one of Electra’s Los Angeles gigs, Jett had been getting close to her. In May of that year, Electra made an appearance in Jett’s song video, which is presumably when they initially became close.
Subsequent rumors surfaced, stating that Jett and her purported lover had plans to attend the “lesbian prom,” or Dinah Shore Weekend in California in March 2007.
But according to other sources that same month, their relationship had ended. According to some reports in August, they may have dated for around a year before deciding to end things.
Even after their purported breakup, Electra continued to be friends with Jett, showing out for a show in March 2014 to support her rumored ex-girlfriend.
Jett’s romantic history is rife with other tales involving Chuck Zito, John Lydon, Billy Idol, Dee Dee Ramone, Pleasant Gehman, Tom Petersson, and Danny Bonaduce, but there is no evidence to support any of those claims.