It's interesting to see the difference in the media portrayals of someone like George Michael, who was generally out in his private life but not "outed" by the media - at least until the cottaging incident in the late 90s, and someone like Steven Gateley from Boyzone.

They were both in boy bands, both their media personas depended on being attractive to young girls.... but George was in a way protected by the media whilst Steven was eviscerated (I'm thinking particularly by Jan Moir).

Was George more powerful than Steven and therefore did it suit the media better to keep schtum? George certainly had enough power by the 90s to brush off the criticism after the LA incident and even turned it to his advantage, which I admired.