Meredith Baxter is Gay! [TODAY SHOW VIDEO]

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Meredith Baxter reveals she is gay

Meredith Baxter, 62, best known as Elyse Keaton on the 80s sitcom Family Ties, “came out” on the Today Show this morning, admitting that she is gay.

She told Matt Lauer: “I’m a lesbian.It was a later in life recognition of that fact . . . Some people are saying, ‘Were you living a lie?’ and the truth is, not at all.”

On her realization that she was gay:

“I got involved with someone I never expected to get involved with. And it was that kind of awakening. I never fought it, because it was like, ‘Oh, I understand.’ Why I had the issues I had early in my life. I had a great deal of difficulty connecting with men in relationships. Sometimes I assumed I was a bad picker, which I think I was indeed, but I also was involved with people who made me think, ‘Oh, you’re the problem’, because there were problems with the people I chose. So it never occurred to me to think, ‘Oh, it’s me.’ “

Baxter, who has had three failed marriages in her lifetime and five children, says something clicked seven years ago and she started dating women. She is currently in a relationship with Nancy Locke, a building contractor, and the couple have been together for 4-years and living together for 2-years.

As for the support of her family and children, she says they are all very supportive of her. She adds that her oldest son told her that he “knew” she was gay all along.

“I’ve really been blessed,” she says with a smile.

Shocked? I’m not really. She seems like such a sweetheart, and as long as she is comfortable with herself, well, good for her.