Written by Peter / Ethel Thurston
Ever the LGBT+ rights movement began the concept of coming out has been one surrounded by discussion and most of all, questions. ‘When should I come out? Who to? How? What if something goes wrong? Should I?’ But now we have a new one to add to the list. ‘Does it still matter?’
A lot has changed since the start of the movement and even more so since the founding of ‘Coming Out Day’. So is it time to pack away the closet iconography and start referring to Keith Haring’s art as if it were a just a symbol of ‘a more primitive time’?
Not even close.
It is true that LGBT+ rights have come a long way since the fight began, and people who have been open about their identity have been a big part of improving things for everyone. But we aren’t there yet. In terms of sexuality most issues faced today will be social. In terms of gender we still face legal issues on top of this. This doesn’t even take into account the stratification within the LGBT+ community.
Whilst a cis white homosexual man may face relatively little social stigma. A trans woman of colour who is also a lesbian still faces crushing opposition. The result of this is an explosion of ‘out’ individuals on the higher end of this privilege scale whilst those lower down still have to keep their identities hidden and with that their voices are silenced out of self-preservation meaning that their struggles are not heard as often.
Now I am in no way suggesting that this is anybody’s fault. It is not the fault of those better off for being able to come forward with who they are and it is certainly not the fault of those who face such injustice that they do not feel that they can come forward. Come out if you can and if you can’t then please don’t worry, you haven’t betrayed some cause. Your well-being is the cause.
But in acknowledging this issue I would say the question of ‘Does it still matter?’ has been answered and the better question should be ‘How do we resolve this issue?’ There is one way that we can further the cause for LGBT+ individuals who are of an ethnic or religious minority, trans, female or have access needs. We need to change the focus.
The movement has become so saturated with such a wealth of individuals fitting one type that it makes it difficult for those with differing experiences to come forward and be part of that. This even exists inside some of the lesser represented groups and has led to fracturing such as with femme vs. butch lesbians and the ‘authenticity’ of their identity.
So we need to take the focus away from the classic examples at least partially and focus specifically on the lesser represented. And at first it may feel awkward specifically seeking out individuals that meet this criteria and are open about their sexuality and/or gender identity. But as they are held more and more in the spotlight we should begin to see these fringe groups and even the fringes within the fringes acknowledging themselves more and more frequently.
We cannot (and NEVER should we) force them out, but we can offer them an environment in which they can feel secure in doing so out of their own choice. So yes, coming out does matter and for some it matters as much today as it did nearly thirty years ago. It’s how we accept that fact and act on it that we will be judged by in future generations.