With all of the hypocritical closeted homosexuals in the news lately it's very easy to write snarky articles and comments attacking the positions of homophobic right wingers. But I'd like to take a moment and reflect on what these revelations might have to say about the consequences of being born gay in America.
I say "being born gay" because it's been shown that, for at least some, homosexuality is not a choice but a genetic predisposition. Given that, and given the current state of American society the odds are that some homosexuals are going to be born into hostile families and communities. How one copes with this situation early on likely dictates the amplitude of future risks. Those risks being greater over time as one becomes invested in life and career choices. The inner torment for those who choose to closet their desires must be devastating psychologically. Closeting your sexuality in a homophobic community is a self feeding cycle: as your acceptance and standing in the group increases the need to further bury your true nature also increases.
Perhaps we, on the left, should welcome these hypocrites as outed homosexuals instead of taking the easy path of mockery. Make them feel that there is a large, strong and supportive segment of society that understands their hardship and accepts them. But this overture would likely be irrelevant as we are not their peers. If these people are high profile enough to be in the news than they have a lot invested in their careers and established connections. They are going to try and preserve their reputation and standing within their own circle. This leads to a spiral of denial and a media feeding frenzy. All this leads to a second tragedy where they finally find they are not accepted anywhere: despised by the left for being a hypocrite; despised by the right for being homosexual; and radioactive in the media.
I guess what I'm saying is that it is hard for me to point and laugh at the homophobic homosexual hypocrit when I know that my own society likely forced them into this hypocrisy. As people can be born gay this goes beyond personal responsibility. The conflicts origin predates self consciousness. If all you know is that you are in danger of loosing the love of your family and community you are likely to make choices that seem hypocritical and asinine to the world at large. As time moves on and the child becomes an adult these early choices to closet become powder kegs. It's a sad testament to the state of our society.