Mister Rogers' gay co-star says he was encouraged to stay in the closet and marry a woman

People

Francois Clemmons' new memoir Officer Clemons recounts his time on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as Officer Clemons from 1968 to 1993, including one day he was summoned into Fred Rogers' office. “Franc, you have talents and gifts that set you apart and above the crowd,” Rogers told him, Clemmons writes in his memoir. “Someone has informed us that you were seen at the local gay bar downtown. Now, I want you to know, Franc, that if you’re gay, it doesn’t matter to me at all. Whatever you say and do is fine with me, but if you’re going to be on the show as an important member of the Neighborhood, you can’t be out as gay.”