Glee’s resident meanie Jane Lynch has been outspoken and characteristically funny lately when discussing the fact that she’s gay, but she hasn’t always been as matter-of-fact about it. In an interview with NPR’s Fresh Air in November 2009, Lynch was somewhat reluctant to discuss her orientation, saying that she was out but didn’t really discuss it much. She said “As much as I… love being an actress, I don’t like calling attention to myself in that way. I don’t want to be different. I’m not a rebel. I just want to be like everybody else.” (I reference this interview all the time when I cover Lynch because she really seemed shy to me and not at all like the Sue Sylvester character she plays on TV. She’s since been much more outgoing and comfortable with the press and it’s clear this was a real change for her.)

Lynch hasn’t made a secret of the fact that she’s a teetotaler after struggling with alcohol, which she gave up in her early 30s. She’s about to cover her struggles with addiction and coming to terms with her sexuality in a new memoir, due out this October:

Jane Lynch will open up about her sexuality and battle with alcoholism in her new memoir.
The ‘Glee’ actress – who tied the knot with her long-term girlfriend Lara Embry last summer – will release her autobiography ‘Happy Accidents’ in September and Jane revealed she hopes her life experiences will help other people.

Speaking about the book, she said in a statement: “If I could go back in time and have a conversation with my 18-year-old self, the first thing I’d say is, ‘Lose the perm.’ Second, I would say, ‘Relax. Really – just relax. Don’t sweat it.’ For a long time, I was anxious and fearful that the parade would pass me by, and that someone or something outside myself had all the answers. Having finally reached a happy place – a happy accidents place- I want to share my story with others, to let them know things aren’t as bad as they fear.”

Jane’s publisher Voice added the book will focus on how “embracing her sexuality” helped Jane “find both professional and personal joy”.

Jane is also expected to discuss her long battle with alcoholism which started when she was just 14.

She has previously said: “As a kid I was convinced that deep down inside, at my core, there was something wrong with me – something fundamentally broken.

“I constantly apologised. I’d over-thank people. I’d pay more than my share. It was as if I had some kind of deficit and needed to compensate for it. Then, when I was 14, I started drinking, and I didn’t get sober until I was 31.”

[From Contact Music]

I love Lynch and find her so funny with excellent comedic timing. I’m starting to sour on Glee, though, after theincredibly childish way that creator Ryan Murphy dealt with the fact that Kings of Leon wouldn’t license their songs to the show. It seems like they’re pulling stunts every week to get viewers, what with their theme episodes and constant celebrity guest stars. Whatever happens to Glee, I hope that Lynch has a long career ahead of her. She’s the real standout on that show.