On October 11, it was National Coming Out Day, a day encouraging GLBT persons to proclaim their sexuality to family, friends, and loved ones.
While I see benefits of sharing such an intimate aspect of oneself to loved ones, I also respect a person’s decision for privacy. For instance, do I need to tell my loved ones if I struggle with heterosexual lust? Should there be a campaign that encourages me to share these thoughts with my loved ones? The point is, I have a right to privacy and I have the right to keep such intimate details of myself to myself.
So although I understand some of the tenants of National Coming Out Day, it appears that the GLBT community contradicts itself by browbeating persons to disclose their sexual identity. Take a recent editorial from the Washington Blade…
The author, Kevin Naff, suggests that it is shameful that celebrities have not come out of the closet and proclaimed their sexuality to - not just their loved ones - but to the world. Kevin attempts to out persons such as Anderson Cooper and Shepard Smith, which may be true or may only be speculation. Kevin, on one hand, the GLBT community argues for sexual equality because each person should have a right to privacy. On the other hand, you appear to browbeat persons to disclose their sexual inclinations for the good of the cause. It seems rather hypocritical to me.
It’s one thing to encourage persons to be proud of their sexuality, still another to browbeat disclosure, even to the point of outing persons to the world, only to advance your cause.
Tags: [GLBT, gay, homosexual, National Coming Out Day, HRC, Washington Blade]
RWRW,
You are confusing the issues.
Homosexuality is biological - like being left handed or having blue eyes. Whether you actually have sex or not is irrelevant. Whether you approve of someone being gay is irrelevant.
It is biological and is determined in the hypathalmus portion of the brain stem. The vast majority of peole are heterosexual but a small percentage of people are born homosexual.
As far as coming out to your parents or family/friends - the point is being gay or straight obviously has more to do than what you do in your bedroom. it touches on different facets of your life.
I am not Black and I told myself awhile ago to not judge Black people because franlkly - I do not walk in their shoes. Its called intelligence and compassion.
Why don’t you do the same.
Gay people want equal rights and they do not want to be ashamed of the way they were born - of who they ARE. That is it.
G.
PS
Sexual orientation has absolutley nothing to do with morality. Homosexuality is not a behavior - it is who someone is. To say that gay people are immoral becuase they are gay is like saying that left-handed people are evil or immoral - oh wait - people did say that about left-handed people — in the 1800s.
G.
G:
I’m not sure if the verdict is on on the nature/nurture aspects of homosexuality. Frankly, I do not have an opinion one way or another.
My post here does not suggest anytthing other than to point out contradicitions. Homosexuals want their privacy respected, and then go out and flaunt their sexuality.
Personally I am embarrased by gay pride parades and do not participate in them.
I have other gay friends that feel the same.
In order for gays to get legal rights and have an equal footing in society they have to be visible.
I am not sure what you mean by flaunt. If you mean not being ashamed of who they are, how they were born then - yes - gay people should not hide that.
The moral component of homosexuality IS the acting on it.
Having a desire for something and satisfying that desire are two different things. I always desire a hot fudge sundae, but have not had one in over twenty years. (Not that food is equivalent to sexuality, but it can serve somewhat as an illustration of my point.)
G:
You mentioned that homosexuality has nothing to do with morality. Putting aside the nature/nurture arguments for a moment, I agree with you. From a Biblical worldview on moral issues, being a homosexual has nothing to do with morality, but homosexual behavior does.
However, we’re getting sidetracked here. I think you reacted to my original post without taking the time to read it. My post had nothing to do with morality. It had to do with the hypocritical nature of some homosexuals who argue privacy and then try to out their neighbor.