A question to "gays" who keep asking for some other celebrities to 'come out" so they can be "proud" of their sexuality

By Billy Glover

I just watched on Logo a show on Freddie Mercury and once again I hear the idea that "if he had come out" it would have been an inspiration to young people struggling with their homosexuality. Nonsense. What this means is that someone would only be happy to be "gay" if other cute, famous people are too. What about all the pioneers who risked their lives to change the world so that today it is possible for us to be happy and gay?

Why are they not an inspiration?

Since 1953 there has been at least one (ONE) publication available in all major cities discussing the subject. Since 1950 there have been a dozen or more pioneers who were speaking out, including in courtrooms/cases. Since 1958 there has been a victory in the U S Supreme Court won by ONE to gain our community/movement the right to even discuss homosexuality in publications.

Every major city has a LGBT newspaper. There has been national magazines covering our subject/lives given major publicity (Advocate and OUT) which have given coverage to dozens of cute and famous people who have "come out." There have been dozens of movies with gay-friendly themes, major TV shows with serious discussions on issues we face.

For years there have been organizations giving help in the legal, religious and political fields. There are LGBT centers in every major city. There have been marches on Washington, and one is planned for next month.

How many people coming out does it take for all these young people to be comfortable with themselves? Perhaps the reason our cause has still got a long way to go for equal/civil rights is because too many "gays' are unhappy being gay. That is what we have been trying to educate them about since 1950. if they haven't "heard" us, that is their problem.