Richard Simmons: I'm Not Transitioning to Female

He offers his support to the LGBT community
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 15, 2016 10:00 AM CDT
Richard Simmons: I'm Not Transitioning to Female
In this June 2, 2006, file photo, Richard Simmons speaks to the audience before the start of a summer salad fashion show at Grand Central Terminal in New York.   (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg, File)

Richard Simmons' last public appearance was in 2014, E! reports, but he's been in the news quite a bit lately thanks to some weird kidnapping rumors, a hospitalization, and then most recently, a National Enquirer article claiming he was transitioning to female. That last thing prompted Simmons to come forward, at least on social media: "Some tabloids have recently falsely reported that I am transitioning. In response, I feel compelled to set the record straight and refute these lies," Simmons wrote on Facebook Tuesday night.

"Although I am not transitioning, I have and always will be supportive of those who are going through their journey," he continued. "We should not lose focus on showing love, strength and compassion to all of the LGBT community during these tragic times. My broken heart and healing thoughts are with the people of Orlando and all other victims of prejudice, bigotry and hate." (More Richard Simmons stories.)

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