You’ve seen the searches. You’ve probably seen the clickbait. Every few months, like clockwork, a new wave of people hops onto Google to ask a very specific question: is sigourney weaver gay? It’s a query that has trailed the Alien star for decades, partly because she’s a massive icon in the LGBTQ+ community and partly because she’s played characters who redefined what "feminine" even looks like on screen.
But if you’re looking for a simple "yes" or "no" based on her actual life, the answer is pretty straightforward. Sigourney Weaver is not gay. She has been married to the same man, stage director Jim Simpson, since 1984. That is over 40 years of marriage—basically several lifetimes by Hollywood standards.
Still, that doesn’t mean the conversation ends there. There’s a reason this rumor persists, and it’s actually a testament to her work. People don’t just ask about her sexuality because they’re nosy; they ask because she has spent her career being a fierce ally and playing roles that resonate deeply with queer audiences.
The 41-Year Marriage Everyone Overlooks
Let’s talk about Jim Simpson. Honestly, their meet-cute sounds like something straight out of a 1980s indie flick. They met in 1983 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Sigourney was already a star, and Jim was a bartender who also happened to be directing non-equity actors.
She was 34. He was 27.
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She actually had a boyfriend at the time, but she invited Jim to a party. He stayed late to help her put away the decorations. That was the spark. Three months later, they decided to get married. They tied the knot on October 1, 1984.
They have one child together, Shar Simpson (born in 1990), who is non-binary. Sigourney has spoken openly and lovingly about her child, often mentioning how proud she is of them. This personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community through her child has only deepened her commitment to advocacy.
Why the "Is Sigourney Weaver Gay" Rumor Keeps Surfacing
Why does the internet keep asking this? It’s not just a random guess.
- The "Ripley" Effect: In 1979, Ellen Ripley changed everything. She wasn't a damsel. She didn't need a man to save her. In fact, she was more competent than every man on the Nostromo. For many queer women, Ripley was a blueprint for a different kind of womanhood—one that was tough, independent, and didn't center on traditional romance.
- Her Choice of Roles: Sigourney doesn't shy away from "queer-coded" or explicitly gay characters. In the 2022 film Call Jane, she played Virginia, a character she personally decided should be a lesbian. She felt it made sense for the character’s "no-bullshit" energy and history with activism.
- The Icon Factor: Let’s be real. When you’re that tall, that authoritative, and that much of a badass, you’re going to become a gay icon. It’s a law of nature.
Prayers for Bobby: A Turning Point
One of the biggest reasons people associate her with the community is the 2009 TV movie Prayers for Bobby. If you haven’t seen it, bring tissues. She played Mary Griffith, a real-life woman who was initially a homophobic crusader but became a massive LGBTQ+ activist after her gay son died by suicide.
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This wasn't just another gig for her. She took the role because she wanted to reach families in conservative areas. She ended up winning a Trevor Life Award for it. When people see an actress so deeply embedded in queer advocacy, they often assume she's part of the "family" herself.
The Mystery of Her Personal Life
Sigourney is notoriously private. She lives in Manhattan, avoids the Hollywood "scene," and rarely gives "at-home" interviews. In an era where every star is oversharing on TikTok, her silence creates a vacuum.
And what does the internet do with a vacuum? It fills it with theories.
She once joked in an interview with Pride Source that she didn't even know her birthday, October 8th, was International Lesbian Day. Her reaction? "Oh my god, my birthday! I didn't know that. That's so cool. How could I not know that?"
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That’s basically Sigourney in a nutshell: Supportive, slightly oblivious to her own legend, and 100% comfortable in her own skin.
What Most People Get Wrong
People tend to think that if an actor is a "Gay Icon," they must be gay. But the term is more about the connection between the performer and the audience.
Sigourney Weaver represents a type of strength that isn't tied to male approval. Whether she’s fighting Xenomorphs or advocating for reproductive rights, she carries herself with a specific kind of autonomy. That autonomy is what the LGBTQ+ community has rallied around for half a century.
So, while the factual answer to is sigourney weaver gay is no, the "spiritual" answer is that she is one of the most significant allies the community has ever had.
Facts to Remember:
- Married to Jim Simpson since 1984.
- One child, Shar Simpson, who is non-binary.
- Born October 8, 1949 (Yes, International Lesbian Day).
- Recipient of the Trevor Life Award and the HRC Ally for Equality Award.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into her work, skip the gossip sites. Instead, watch Prayers for Bobby or her performance in Call Jane. Those projects tell you way more about who she is and what she stands for than a search result ever could.
The most important thing to do next is to look at the organizations she supports, like The Trevor Project or PFLAG. If you want to honor the "icon" status she’s earned, supporting the causes she actually cares about is the best way to do it.