Is Jimmy Carter Gay? The Truth Behind His Homosexuality Rumor and Gender

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is widely respected for his humanitarian work and his advocacy for human rights, democracy, and social justice. He is also known for his progressive views on various social issues, including gender equality, racial discrimination, and environmental protection. But what about his personal life? Is Jimmy Carter gay, as some rumors suggest? What is the truth behind his sexuality and gender identity?
The Rumor: Jimmy Carter is Gay
The rumor that Jimmy Carter is gay has been circulating on the internet for years, especially on social media platforms and gossip websites. Some of the sources that claim to support this rumor are:
- A website called The Celebrity Post, which conducted an online poll in 2024 asking its visitors if they believed Carter was gay. The poll suggested that a big majority – 94% – of respondents did not believe that he was gay.
- A meme that attributed a quote to Jimmy Carter, saying: “Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things—he never said that gay people should be condemned.” The meme implied that he was speaking from his own experience as a gay man.
- A book by Kitty Kelley, a controversial biographer who has written about several celebrities and political figures, including Nancy Reagan, Oprah Winfrey, and the British royal family. In her book The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty, Kelley claimed that he had a homosexual affair with one of his aides, Charles Kirbo, while he was governor of Georgia. She also alleged that Carter’s wife, Rosalynn, knew about the affair and tolerated it.
Jimmy Carter Quick Info

Name | Jimmy Carter |
---|---|
Full name | James Earl Carter Jr. |
Date of birth | October 1, 1924 |
Place of birth | Plains, Georgia, U.S. |
Ethnicity | White |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Baptist |
Spouse | Rosalynn Smith Carter (m. 1946; died 2023) |
Children | 4, including Jack and Amy |
Parents | James Earl Carter Sr. and Bessie Lillian Gordy |
Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) |
Military service | United States Navy (1946–1953) |
Political party | Democratic |
Political offices | 39th President of the United States (1977–1981) 76th Governor of Georgia (1971–1975) Member of the Georgia State Senate (1963–1967) |
Links | Wikipedia- @Jimmy_Carter Facebook- @presidentjimmycarter Homepage- Newsunzip |
The Truth: Jimmy Carter is Not Gay
However, none of these sources are credible or reliable, and there is no evidence to support the rumor that Jimmy Carter is gay. On the contrary, many facts prove that he is heterosexual and cisgender, meaning that he identifies with the gender he was assigned at birth. Some of these facts are:
- Jimmy has been married to Rosalynn Smith since 1946, and they have four children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. They are widely regarded as one of the most devoted and loving couples in American history, and they have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021. Carter has often praised his wife as his best friend, partner, and soulmate, and he has credited her for supporting him throughout his career and life. He has also said that he has never been unfaithful to her, and that he regrets the times he was away from her due to his political duties.
- Jimmy is a devout Christian, and he has been a member of the Baptist church since he was a child. He has taught Sunday school for decades, and he has written several books about his faith and spirituality. He has also said that he tries to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ in his personal and public life. While he has expressed his support for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people, he has also stated that he believes that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that he does not approve of homosexuality as a lifestyle choice. He has also said that he respects the autonomy of each church to decide whether to accept or reject gay members or perform gay marriages.
- Carter is a champion of human rights, and he has dedicated his post-presidential career to promoting peace, democracy, and social justice around the world. He has founded the Carter Center, a non-profit organization that works to resolve conflicts, advance health, protect human rights, and strengthen democracy. He has also been involved in various humanitarian causes, such as eradicating diseases, building homes, and mediating disputes. He has received numerous awards and honors for his humanitarian work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He has also spoken out against various forms of oppression and discrimination, including gender-based violence, racism, and religious intolerance.
#DYK that February is #NationalWeddingMonth? We hope you enjoyed our Love Week theme. We leave you with one last post. We can't get over how President Carter always looked at First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Here they are at their inauguration on 1/20/1977. NAID 173399 #FamilyFirst pic.twitter.com/IGDgrDCmNc
— Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (@CarterLibrary) February 15, 2024
Jimmy Carter’s Sexuality and Gender

Aspect | Rumor | Truth |
---|---|---|
Sexuality | Gay | Heterosexual |
Gender | Unclear | Cisgender |
Marriage | Unhappy and unfaithful | Happy and faithful |
Religion | Liberal and tolerant | Conservative and respectful |
Human rights | Hypocritical and self-serving | Genuine and altruistic |
In conclusion, the rumor that Jimmy Carter is gay is false and unfounded, and it does not reflect the reality of his life and personality. He is a remarkable man who has achieved many things in his political and humanitarian career, and who has shown his love and commitment to his wife, family, faith, and humanity. He is not gay, but he is not homophobic either. He is not perfect, but he is honest and humble. He is not a saint, but he is a servant.