Atomic Blonde
Member
This was supposed to be a reply to a post on the previous thread but it was deleted.
I have to say I get a bit frustrated when I see straight people make flippant comments like 'why do you need to tell everyone your sexuality, I don't have to come out as straight' etc.
As a woman who loves women, I can't tell you how important it is to see lesbian/gay/bisexual role models in all aspects of society including media/TV/film/sports etc. Growing up,many of us felt like outsiders who didn't fit in with the rest of society and so seeing someone being open about their sexuality on TV etc makes you feel seen. Representation matters and helps
people understand themselves, feel more secure and welcomed, and gives us the security of knowing we are not alone. In addition, the more representation there is the more it normalises and increases acceptance of LGBT throughout society.
Having role models also shows to us that being gay/lesbian/bi doesn't stop us progressing in our chosen careers, as the saying goes 'if you can't see it, you can't be it', something that straight people never have to worry about.
That's not to say that people have to publically announce their sexuality, in fact most younger people these days, like Cara Delevingne and Kristen Stewart for example, don't make big announcements but instead are just open about dating women, taking them to events and talk about their girlfriends in interviews just like straight people have been privileged to be able to do since forever. Why should we have to hide a big part of who they are just in case some homophobe is offended?
Obviously people should do what they personally feel comfortable with, but I did think the PS thing was strange from the start, why make a big announcement now when he could have divorced his wife quietly to keep her and the family out of the spotlight and then publically moved on with a new 'boyfriend' in a few months. It definitely felt like his hand was forced which is why the whole reasoning of making it public to help other people come out seemed rather insincere and disengenous.
I have to say I get a bit frustrated when I see straight people make flippant comments like 'why do you need to tell everyone your sexuality, I don't have to come out as straight' etc.
As a woman who loves women, I can't tell you how important it is to see lesbian/gay/bisexual role models in all aspects of society including media/TV/film/sports etc. Growing up,many of us felt like outsiders who didn't fit in with the rest of society and so seeing someone being open about their sexuality on TV etc makes you feel seen. Representation matters and helps
people understand themselves, feel more secure and welcomed, and gives us the security of knowing we are not alone. In addition, the more representation there is the more it normalises and increases acceptance of LGBT throughout society.
Having role models also shows to us that being gay/lesbian/bi doesn't stop us progressing in our chosen careers, as the saying goes 'if you can't see it, you can't be it', something that straight people never have to worry about.
That's not to say that people have to publically announce their sexuality, in fact most younger people these days, like Cara Delevingne and Kristen Stewart for example, don't make big announcements but instead are just open about dating women, taking them to events and talk about their girlfriends in interviews just like straight people have been privileged to be able to do since forever. Why should we have to hide a big part of who they are just in case some homophobe is offended?
Obviously people should do what they personally feel comfortable with, but I did think the PS thing was strange from the start, why make a big announcement now when he could have divorced his wife quietly to keep her and the family out of the spotlight and then publically moved on with a new 'boyfriend' in a few months. It definitely felt like his hand was forced which is why the whole reasoning of making it public to help other people come out seemed rather insincere and disengenous.