Panel Voices: Does being part of the LGBT movement require coming out publicly?

.

Michael Carr, Elisabeth Long, Karl Wesley and George Gramer weigh in on this week’s question.
.
.
.

Michael Carr 

Homosexuals are not automatically part of the GLBT community. And if one is not part of the community it’s even more difficult to be part of the movement. It’s safe to say that if one is a closeted homosexual then they are working against the GLBT movement. It’s harsh, I know. However, the fact is that the progress we have made as a movement is largely due to our “outness.” When we come out in our communities we get the opportunity to break down stereotypes and confront prejudice. Coming out is an integral part.

Our job as out gays and lesbians is to tell our story – the good, the bad and the ugly. This helps propel our movement forward and provides the insights necessary to encourage our closeted friends to make the courageous steps to exit the closet.

If a closeted person hasn’t heard or read a story that compels them to take the steps to live openly and honestly then we’re not doing our job. If a closeted person lacks the courage to live openly and honestly, the one thing they can do to assuage their guilt is to donate. If they aren’t going to tell their story, the best they can do is support those that do. I’m happy to have conversations with those struggling to come out of the closet. I’m even happier to help direct their donations! The battle for equality isn’t cheap.

Michael Carr is on the board of the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans, President of Aspirant Marketing, a former candidate for Colorado State Senate and resides in Cheesman Park with his partner, Fred.

Elisabeth Long 

Between the two parts of this question lies an assumption with which I don’t agree: that out LGBT people are a part of the movement by outness alone.

If someone identifies as LGBTQ, I think they’re LGBTQ regardless of who they are or are not out to. I support people naming their identities and determining when and with whom they share that information.

I don’t think that people become a part of “the movement” when they come out publicly. Coming out is a life-changing and courageous act for many – our LGBTQ identities shape our experiences and beliefs about the world, and our experiences with homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and heteronormativity activate us to move together for change.

Yet, participation in any kind of social movement happens through action with others, not identification alone. One can be openly LGBTQ and not be a part of any movement, and one can be closeted or straight and be a part of LGBTQ movement if they are engaged in action with others to disrupt and dismantle the oppression of queer and trans peoples. Being LGBTQ does not mean you’re a part of LGBTQ movement just as being a woman does not equate with being a part of feminist movement, and so on.

For many LGBTQ folks, the internal, interpersonal, social, professional, and other shifts that accompany coming out activate us to find community and fight for equality. That connection is real.

Elisabeth Long is a sassy queer femme-inist Pisces babe. She’s passionate about anti-violence and queer activism and enjoys bonding with animals, and rockin’ a hot pair of stilettos.

Karl Wesley 

Defining one’s existence within a community based solely on whether or not they’ve “come out of the closet” is really just another form of discrimination. Just because someone has not yet chosen to take the giant leap out of their walk-in doesn’t mean they have no place within the letters of LGBT. Do we not accept our straight allies/supporters and allow them a place within our community?

Labels are a huge part of the LGBT community, but they do not define how the community actually operates. It doesn’t take a label to become part of the movement, participate in Pride or even go to a gay bar. It only takes support and a desire to make an improvement within this community.

Karl Wesley is a 28-year old gay resident of Denver who was named Mr. CGRA in 2013, and continues to be active in the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association. Wesley is the manager at the country bar, Charlie’s, and works to strive toward a more tolerant, educated and accepting future for the LGBT community.

George Gramer 

My dictionary defines movement as “a diffusely organized or heterogeneous group of people or organizations tending toward or favoring a generalized common goal.” My view of the LGBT movement is broad and ample, and it includes out and closeted LGBT, as well as our many straight allies.

I suspect that many closeted people quietly support organizations like The Task Force, HRC, One Colorado, PFLAG, Lambda Legal, and GLSEN even though they are not out.

I suspect that many closeted people support LGBT causes, such as the pending civil union legislation in the Colorado legislature.

I suspect that during PrideFest, thousands of closeted LGBT Coloradans come to Civic Center Park to enjoy something they can do only perhaps once per year.

I suspect that many of the photo-free or faceless ads on Craigslist and LGBT dating sites are people sadly in the closeted category.

I suspect that most closeted people eventually come out. Times are changing in the 21st Century, and people, even business professionals, athletes, celebrities, and politicians, no longer feel the absolute need to remain closeted.

The LGBT movement needs all the support it can get, so if a closeted person, or LGBT person in an unhappy traditional marriage, or a closeted person on the down low because he is afraid of what family, friends, or whomever may think, we welcome them and we celebrate, secretly, with them.

Iowa native George K. Gramer, Jr. is the president of the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans.