“I’ve always lived a very private life. … To come out and disclose stuff is very antithetical to who I am.” —Meredith Baxter.
I don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but Meredith Baxter has come out of the closet on the “Today” show. More like drop-kicked out of the closet. “Baxter says she was finally forced to officially come out after Perez Hilton yesterday posted photos of her and her girlfriend.”
How sad. I think everyone should be allowed the choice of when, how, and IF they come out to the general public. Perez Hilton, yet again proving (s)he’s a black eye to the gay community.
I had a hard enough time coming out to my family and those friends close to me. I’m not a celebrity. I can’t imagine the thought of my career dangling on whatever misconception people have about me have because all they can see now is my sexual orientation.
Yet strangely, I do.
I have a career and client base that is very traditionally not accepting of being gay. After all, how many tattoo artists do you know who are gay? Add living in Arkansas to that, and you can maybe understand why there are times and places I do not discuss my personal life around people I don’t know.
Does this mean I’m not out? That depends. Being out means a lot of things depending on who you’re talking with. As people get to know me, most figure out that I’m gay on their own. Being gay is just one piece of the puzzle that makes me me. If people won’t accept me as a person for the example I live by, then why bother adding anything else they obviously won’t be able to deal with?
I’ve been outed to total strangers by non-gay friends a few times in social settings which has made me more than a little uncomfortable each time it’s happened.
I’m not of the personality type that goes running around shouting “I’m gay” to the world from the rooftops or have a big pink triangle tattooed on my forehead. I personally think being “in-your-face” gay is just as bad as being a total closet case. But I am open-minded enough to accept that there is a time and a place for everything. Just let me choose the when, how, and IF I come out to the general public.
Am I wrong for thinking this? What do you think?
This is how I look when I’m not amused.
Until next time...
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