Why celebrities come out

[sp1814]

I would like to take this opportunity to address some rather ill-informed posts on the recent thread on the gay cricketer who came out.

Does it matter? Yes - it does, because gay kids need to have a variety of role models. It makes them feel better about themselves.

Why do gay people feel the need to announce their sexuality? Well, why do straight people do the same? Think about it! Every wedding you've ever been to ha been a declaration of heterosexuality. Every time a bloke picks up a copy of FHM and points out how much he fancies Cheryl Cole - isn't he shouting about his sexuality?

Please continue to raise questions on sexuality, but try to think before writing, because some posts come across as the product of extreme stupidity.

[DaisyNonna]

Whether or not any person makes a statement about his or her own sexuality is personal to him or her. Acceptable reaction ? Not a problem.

[askyourgran]

Being a heartthrob film star doesn't sit well with being gay either. ^ Several film stars kept their sexuality secret for that reason. Rock Hudson was believable in his day as a romantic hunk, until much later dying from AIDS, then the truth came out. Heteros have no reason to make an issue of their feelings the majority is the norm. Gays obviously do, there are certain areas where they need to be circumspect about their private life. If George Michael came out in his early days I don't think he would have had such a following.

[sp1814]

askyourgran makes some very valid points. There's no way that George Michael would've had the career he had if he'd come out in the 80s.

joeluke - how could being gay be incompatible with being a sportsman. Do you mean that physiologically gays can't play sport, or that fans wouldn't accept them?

[joeluke]

sp......the latter of course

[sp1814]

joeluke

Your incorrect.

http://www.fsf.org.uk...phobic-stereotype.php

Why do you think your right in your assumption? Could it be how YOU feel, and you're projecting?

[joeluke]

What your link fails to say is that many of the answers given were lies because the fans, players, managers and officials didn't want to appear homophobic but instead wanted to say what the uber PC world we live in wanted to hear

[sp1814]

joeluke

But that's not true. At least, you cannot prove your statement, whereas I can prove my assertion.

Also, why would anyone lie in a survey where they cannot be identified?

Do you think you might be wrong here?

[joeluke]

Surveys are bullsh!t, who hasn't lied on one before?

Not worth the substantial money that is spent on them

[Kromovaracun]

joeluke:

Is that in your considered opinion as an experienced social researcher? Or do you actually have evidence to prove this?

Admittedly, there is evidence to suggest people fill out surveys as if they're pretending someone's watching, but on the scale you're talking about - it usually applies to questions about how they percieve their skills (and there's evidence suggesting that people may often under-rate what they're good at in an attempt to appear 'modest' even in an anonymous survey).

But what you're talking about is people consistently and actively lying about issues that they feel strongly about, which there is absolutely no evidence for as far as I'm aware. Perhaps you do it yourself, but if you do then quite frankly you're a total coward.

[Zeuhl]

Proper Surveys have qual/quant checks, ipsative questioning and algorithms applied to ensure statistical validity.

Clearly, the people who spend 'substantial' amounts of money on research are a lot more savvy, knowledgeable and intelligent than joeluke.

Joeluke evidently has no qualifications in this area - just ignorance, prejudice and philistine notions he's made up for himself based on little or no knowledge which probably serve to modify his own feelings of inadequacy.

After all; if one doesn't understand something the easiest thing to do is rubbish it.
.

[anotheoldgit]

Why don't the homosexual lobby now stop parading your sexuality, and just carry on with your lives?

No one wants to convert you to heterosexuality, so please stop trying to sell homosexuality to us, it's all getting a little boring.

[jackthehat]

Obviously *your* newspaper editors don't believe it is............

[Answerprancer]

Don't be a moron - no-one is trying to "sell" homosexuality here, they're just trying to weigh up an obvious imbalance and address prejudices that still remain.

[Answerprancer]

(now watch him focus soley on that word and ignore the rest of what I said)

[Ankou]

aog, over the last few weeks you have created at least 10 threads on the subject and you were already boring.

[Ankou]

...wait for the i'm the victim post...

[ummmm]

Paedophilia is illegal...being gay isn't

[Davethedog]

Although I laud your sentiments SP I think your wrong in what you say.

I haven't read the entire thread I think that guys like Steve Davis come out because if not sooner or later someone from the media will make thier lives hell. Also though I am not a party to it I would imagine the "lads" culture in the clubs and dressing rooms must make it sometimes intilarable if your gay.

I don't think Steve Davis or Gareth Thomas set themselves up to be "gay" role models they want to be honest about who they are thats it.

And your hetrosexual argument is to be frank, laughable and not worth comment.

[natalie]

I agree with ummmm
homosexuality isnt illegal and you can compare them to peadophiles!