Jodie Foster Finally Comes Out!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

It's an interesting tangent raised by Alex and €uro. But my personal response is the same to both of them, about all of it. If you're hiding it rather than just not mentioning it, you are acting from fear.

I don't talk to my coworkers about my salary. Is that a cowardly act? Is fear the ONLY motivation to ever not discuss something?

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I don't talk to my coworkers about my salary. Is that a cowardly act? Is fear the ONLY motivation to ever not discuss something?

Yes, propriety is motivation. It can even be the motivation not to discuss your sex life.

Do you suppose that's really the motivation why most closeted people don't reveal they're gay?

I think it may be fine for those that don't want to reveal their fetishes.



But what is propriety anyway? Is it really a sincere concern for the feelings of others? Or is it fear by another name?

[alphabassettgrrl]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

But what is propriety anyway? Is it really a sincere concern for the feelings of others? Or is it fear by another name?

Depends. Could go either way. I don't say anything about me when around my husband's coworkers at his request. There is fear of job loss, but also it's his request that I not muddy the waters. He prefers calm, and if they knew who I was, they would not be calm. Maybe eventually but it'd be a sore spot.

I'm fine with people giving me heat; him, not so much.

[Jazzman]

So here's what I'm wondering. Was she really in the closet? Has her refusal to address it until now been a defacto admission or denial? I'm sure that with all the rumors that have circulated about her, at some time someone had to have flat out asked her, "Are you gay?" If she said "No" then obviously she was lying and choosing to hang out with R Kelly in the closet. But if she refused to answer, then she's not denying it, so is she really "closeted" or is she just happily being mysterious. Because (IMO) if she's never said, "No, I am not gay," knowing full well that so many people believed that she was, then she hasn't been living in the closet, she just hasn't been running for the spotlight either. Which, by the way, is very admirable I believe.

I guess the point is, do you have to actually deny being gay when faced with others believing that you are in order to be "in the closet?" Or can you simply be someone who just, ya know, happens to swing that way but doesn't dwell on it and instead focuses on other important aspects of your life, such as say, a brilliant acting career?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

But my personal response is the same to both of them, about all of it. If you're hiding it rather than just not mentioning it, you are acting from fear.

Is it not possible to think that something is not an appropriate topic of public conversation without being afraid of it.

I have no fear of repercussions or embarrassment should I go into detail about my intimate sexual preferences. I just don't think they are, except in very narrow situations, something to be talked about.

The same, for example, when it comes to discussing religion at work. I have no fear that discussing my atheism would have negative impacts on me. And I'm certainly not embarrassed by it. I just don't think personal religion (or lack of it) is an appropriate discussion topic for that venue.

Finally, why am I suddenly unable to spell embarrassed without assistance of spellcheck?

[katiesue]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

It's an interesting tangent raised by Alex and €uro. But my personal response is the same to both of them, about all of it. If you're hiding it rather than just not mentioning it, you are acting from fear.

But what would exactly hiding mean. What if your friends and family know, close associates, but you just don't make a public statement? Is that hiding? What if you don't like your photo plastered all over the tabloids so you prefer to stay in instead of going out? Is that hiding?

I think it's each persons personal comfort level. Just because someone keeps to themselves I don't think them cowardly. There's nothing wrong with being descreet.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Oh, fine, Alex.. make a wet blankety statement while I'm continuing the flight to nonsense-nonsense land, so it looks like I'm attempting targeted assholery.

[BarTopDancer]

Alex brings up a lot of good points.

I don't think anyone who doesn't want to talk about their private life should feel obligated to talk about it. Anyone who wants to, should be able to.

If Nancy Regan wants to talk about being adopted, Pamela wants to talk about her Hepatitis C and Woody Harrelson wants to talk about his father and how they over come the stigmas attached to their challenges, they should. It may reach someone struggling with the same issue and they can see that they aren't the only one's who have a not so pleasant past or family tree/history. And if they all want to remain mum about it then it is their prerogative.

[€uroMeinke]

I kinda like secrets - I think it's cool when things are uncovered long after the fact. I want my stars to be able to have an shroud of mystery, should they desire it.

[Gemini Cricket]

I'm gay. But it's no one else's business that I'm a bottom.







Oops.