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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 14. July 6 1981

Coming Out

Coming Out

Perspective of a Gay Male Activist

Gay rights activists have done a considerable amount in bringing the issue of homosexuality to the attention of the New Zealand public. Organisations for lesbians and gay men have done much to dispel the myths about homosexuality. Demonstrations, pickets, public forums, radio talkbacks and TV current affairs programmes have all contributed to the campaign to secure recognition of the rights of homosexuals. Why is it then, that in 1981, solely on the basis of my being gay:
  • my landlord can evict me from my flat
  • my brother has more claim to my estate than my lover
  • a hotellier can refuse me accommodation
  • an employer can fire me
  • the NZ government does not acknowledge my rights; in fact denies me any rights
  • 1 can be denied a visa to enter the USA
  • the police can kick my door down and arrest me for performing an "indecent act" in private
  • I can't walk up the street holding my lover's hand without fear of being beaten up by some homophobic protector of patriarchal moral values

The NZ Human Rights Commission gives all these people a free hand to do all those things.

Why the Closet?

"We are everywhere"; slogan of the gay rights movement in New Zealand. 10% of the population is estimated to be homosexual. But 10% of the population is not seen to be homosexual. While 0.l°/o might be seen and listed, above are ten good reasons why 9.9% of the population remains invisible.

Discovering that one is homosexual is not always a beautiful, romantic and passionate experience. Often it follows a long period of anguish and frustration; culminates in a climax of agony and is followed by confused feelings of fear, guilt, shame and loneliness.

The term "closet" alludes to those of us gay men and lesbians who, having accepted our homosexuality, suppress any overt behaviour which might lead people to even suspect that we are homosexual; a state which needless to say imposes severe restrictions on our social interactions and effectively precludes our developing a political consciousness.

"Iunmy we've thought it over carefully and have decided that it's really okay that you're gay. Just as long as you realize that we're not."

"There are as many kinds of relationships as there are people. Heterosexuals do not have a copyright on love. The worst kind of sickness exists in the minds of those who deny the others the right to be what they choose."

Perhaps we are not interested in the political aspects of our homosexuality? As long as the police can kick your door in, you are very much involved - like it or not - in the politics of homosexuality. Of course we can have an "extended closet" with lots of room in it for others of similar persuasion; others crippled by the same oppression. In fact there is a veritable community of closetted homosexuals who collectively perpetuate the oppression of all.

The "social revolution" that gay rights activists are promoting is an attempt to establish a society free from: repressive laws; discrimination; oppressive societal attitudes causing fear, guilt, shame and loneliness; sexism; sexual stereotyping; and all repressive social institutions. In short, a society which accords full dignity to all human beings without regard to their sexual orientation.

The Closet Helps No One

The effect of lesbians and gay men "coming out" is not only of benefit to those individuals. An out, open homosexual overcomes countless facets of her/his oppression and becomes a source of strength for closetted homosexuals. When confronted often enough with our lesbians and gay men, many closetted homosexuals begin to realise that suppressing our sexual identity is only making things more difficult for ourselves.

The need for homosexual visibility is obvious. All the bigotry and prejudice directed at gay men and lesbians is based on ignorance. That ignorance is responsible for all the atrocities committed against homosexuals, and those atrocities number more than a few.

Regardless of your sexual orientation I urge you to consider just what it is about human nature that allows the perpetuation of oppression and suffering of human beings. A lot of "out" homosexuals will be needed to overcome that ignorance. Until lesbians and gay men in New Zealand achieve a significant degree of visibility in this society, there will be no liberation of gay men and lesbians from the oppression they endure. Meanwhile the best I can hope for is a plague on both the houses of, oppressor, and those who perpetuate the ignorance.

Kevin Green

NZUSA