Thursday, October 30, 2014
Out out
No one will be surprised to read that Tim Cook is gay.
But the thing is that there is a big difference between everyone knowing it as a poorly kept secret and everyone knowing it as an outspoken fact.
This is one of the lesser understood aspects of the process of coming out all the way.
Self declaration across the board and out loud, unembarrassed and unapologetic is what we need.
Most gay people have friends who are supportive by definition. Being out to them is no sweat. More gay people belong to social groups that are tolerant. We are not known for joining right wing homophobic christer outfits. But not all gay people take it much further. To be a public figure and to be assertively open is still a courageous act. But an essential one.
There are still haters of course, but more, there are still many more fencers who will smile and speak their support but not be totally accepting. They are still "tolerating". I had a friend once who hated the idea that he would be "tolerated". Me too once I learned what he meant by that.
Dissolve the definitions. It will take a long time. But the more Tim Cooks we have the more the whole "gay thing" will simmer down into just being a thing.
Labels: apple, gay heroes, gay identity
