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The Details of Whitney Houston's Rumored Same-Sex Relationship is Not Bobby Brown's Business to Tell

Can we all just leave this one alone?

By: Michael Arceneaux

Very seldom will you ever find me speaking ill of the legendary Bobby Brown. You’re now reading words from someone who will regularly inform you that if not for the Don’t Be Cruel album, it’s highly unlikely you will have artists like Usher, Trey Songz and Chris Brown. A person, who after finding out “The Kang of R&B” was selling BBQ sauce and fried chicken seasoning, immediately went online to place an order. So, my love of Bobby Brown is pure and everlasting.

However, there is news pouring out from a recent interview that’s troubled me. There are a few things in life I can look pass. I pass no judgment on Bobby Brown for recently telling ABC’s Robin Roberts that he once had sex with a ghost is a fine example. Brown’s purported private ghost busting aside, I’m more frustrated that he felt compelled to discuss a long rumored part of his late ex wife’s life.

Speaking with Us Weekly, Brown addressed the outstanding rumor that Whitney Houston had a same-sex relationship with Robyn Crawford. Houston met Crawford as a teen before she ultimately hired Crawford to be her assistant and creative director. Rumors of a romance started in the late 1980s and traveled with the late iconic singer for years. The rumor reached its peak of speculation once Houston went on to join Michael Jackson in the afterlife choir and Crawford spoke with Esquire about their relationship.

In response to stories that Houston was pressured by family members not to see her, Crawford noted, “Nobody kept Whitney from doing anything.” Beyond that, though, there is a subtle gorgeousness to how Crawford speaks of Houston. It is quite clear that whatever their relationship was, it was rooted in love.

Crawford explained: “I have never spoken about her until now. And she knew I wouldn't. She was a loyal friend and she knew I was never going to be disloyal to her. I was never going to betray her. Now I can't believe that I'm never going to hug her or hear her laughter again. I loved her laughter and that's what I miss most, that's what I miss already.”

And: “I just hope that she wasn't in pain and that she hadn't lost hope. She gave so much to so many people; I hope that she felt loved in return. She was the action, for such a long time. She's out of the action now. I hope she can finally rest.”

This should have been the end of that. No one who was not privy to the intel to confirm the specifics of their relationship deserved nothing more than what Crawford offered. Sadly, Brown has now chimed in, telling Us Weekly that when it comes to Houston and Crawford, “I know. We were married for 14 years. There are some things we talked about that were personal to us.”

Brown, who recently released a memoir, "Every Little Step," alleges that Houston was bisexual. He told Us, “I’m a man and she was attracted to me!”

We know that Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, is not the most progressive when it comes to human sexuality. Speaking with Oprah Winfrey in 2013, Cissy said it would have “absolutely” bothered her if Whitney was gay. Brown argued, “I really feel that if Robyn was accepted into Whitney’s life, Whitney would still be alive today. She didn’t have close friends with her anymore.”

Now, I understand that when it comes to writing about one’s own life the experiences of other people's lives related to your story will be told too. Even so, this was not Brown’s story to tell. Brown has spent much of the past several years trying to fight off the speculation that he was responsible for Houston's drug addiction. Such is his right, especially if other people have stepped in to lend credence to the accusation. That is an aspect of his ex wife's life he should have the right to discuss.

Moreover, while Houston is no longer with us, Robyn Crawford is. Crawford does not deserve the newfound attention such remarks may generate. More importantly, Crawford is the only other person involved in this alleged relationship, not Bobby Brown.

I get that Brown seemingly meant well in discussing the topic. In many ways, I imagine this information will help those with similar struggles. Still, when it comes to someone’s sexuality, it belongs to that person. If Houston never felt compelled to share this part of her, it should stay buried. Similarly, if Robyn Crawford never opted to tell the world about what she had with Whitney Houston, well then that should tell us all what we need to know about their life together. Everything they shared should be kept between them, just the way they clearly wanted it.