Do You Favor Outing Gays?

Before this election, my answer was always No. Now my answer is this... If anyone I know confides in me that he or she is gay, but that it's a secret... they damn better well have asked me if I could keep a secret first.

I'm tired of the fact that we have no real unity, we're not really a voting bloc, not demographically, not racially, not by "class" or wealth. So what are we? Too many of us pretend to be something we're not. So this country continues to believe that they don't know anyone gay. They continue to believe their myths about what we are. If I could make one wish on this subject, it would be that every gay person voluntarily come out now and stop hiding.

.. until then, many people just say it's a nasty untrue rumor ....

imho

and it's not gossip or seen as or intended to be any kind of attack on the person or their character.

We're one of the only groups that can convincingly "blend" in with our heterosexual friends, family and coworkers. I really hate that. Even I, who have been completely out for over twenty years now, hesitate when confronted with "admitting" my homosexuality. Like yesterday, at the dentist, I was chatting with the assistant and mentioned that I was moving to California sometime soon. So she asked if I had a house here and was I going to be selling it. At that moment I found myself in that space of knowing that I was just about to "out" myself, for about the millionth time one-on-one. So, I took a breath and said that my partner and I own the house together and that she will be keeping it.

I just think the only way to get past the discrimination that exists simply because we are invisible, is to uncloak.

It's exhausting, it really is.

I think public figures who are gay and in the closet, but who espouse policies or positions that do harm to GLBT people should be outed. It's the only way to point out their vile hypocrisy.

Closeted public figures who do nothing to harm us other than to shamefully hide their orientation should, IMHO, be left to smother in their dark and confining space.

I came out to my Southern Baptist parents; they love me unconditionally and accept who I am. I know how frightening the coming out experience can be, and I was an adult who didn't rely on them for any survival needs, so I can understand why some people find closets necessary. I hope to see the day when our orientation is no longer an issue.

One's status as out or closeted is perhaps the single most significant aspect of our lives. It should always be respected...EXCEPT for those who do us harm and are hypocritical in their homosexuality/bisexuality. It's one of the few weapons we have.

Take, for example, out here in the LA burbs, David Drier (in the next district over from me.) And, frankly, in the political circles and the gay community, his sexuality and relationship to his staffer have never been a secret as long as I can remember. And he got re elected. I mean everone has known forever. I cannot imagine that this has ever been a secret in Washington. Yet he takes those hypocritical positions.

Log Cabin. Go figure.

that is tragic on all fronts.

This is the only way everyone's potential can be realized.

I think all political and cultural/religious hypocrisy must be exposed.

I'm pretty out. I could pass if I wanted to but I think most people getting to know me suss out that I'm gay fairly quickly. I also don't make a big deal about it. IF someone asks if I'm single I would just reply "No I have a boyfriend."

I'm not but my husband/boyfriend is...

I don't know if I could pass--A grad student in my class once said Sashay in a conversation and heard me mutter under my breath...shantay..etc. a la Ru Paul...

Beyond that I'm pretty nerdy. Fab 5 would roll their eyes at me.

Regardless of the issue, if it happens to be homosexuality, yes, out the hypocrite.

I support everyone's right to privacy, and I am a bit of a hypocrite since I am not out to my family (they are fundies and I would likely be disowned), but politicians who hide in the closet and fight against gay rights piss me off like nothing else. People can need the closet for different reasons but I believe if you use it to hurt others then you don't get to have it anymore.

Just so they can experience first hand how "welcoming" their party is.

When it comes to politicians, policy makers, or influential personalities (TV, radio, lecture, print, film) who are publicly anti-gay or who have supported anti-gay policy or laws... then it's a resounding YES!!!!!!!!!

Screw their privacy when they want to screw with mine!

Great Question Karen!!!!!

-- Allen

I have no problem outing those closeted gays who are helping the enemy, and I do mean enemy

I assume outing someone will cause them some amount of pain. Hence the reason they keep it secret. So the question is "Why do I want to cause them pain?"

And why do they keep it secret? Because they can, and because they can allow society to dictate how they live their lives, by making them afraid. I stand by my original wish, that every gay person would just stand up and be counted.

Havn't accepted themselves yet. How can we expect anyone to out themselves until they are comfortable with themselves first.

And once they are comfortable there may be people that they are not comfortable telling. For example a GrandParent. It may be perceived as simpler to outlive them, than to confront them.

Should the TransGendered fill out a job application by highlighting that the form does not have a gender listing of "Other"

What about the CrossDressing CEO of a Multinational Corp. Should he announce at the stockholders meeting that he can't get anything done unless he is wearing silk panties, stockings and garter belt?

but they are reasons because being gay is so "shameful"... because being gay sets us apart from those with whom we're trying to blend.

Your last example is ludicrous, but you know that.

Takee a look at the profile for Hetero Crossdressers. Then tell me which members of Congress can't give a speach unless they are wearing Panties.

who have an opportunity to vote on legislation (like the anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment) that would take away our rights.

I'd add new RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman to that group, since his political party is demonizing GLBT people to satisfy the hatemongers who consitute tbeir base.

I don't support outing ordinary people. That's up to them when or if they want to come out.