I would like to go on public record and announce that I am a heterosexual, white male and have been in a long term relationship with my wife.  Whew!  Now that that’s out of the way, I can move on with my life content in the fact that everyone knows my personal business.  Why have I done something so “outrageous” as to announce my sexuality?  Well if Jason Collins, Robin Roberts and Michael Sam can all do it, why can’t I?

It hit me while watching a documentary about Freda Kelly, the secretary to Brian Epstein and The Beatles. In a passing conversation with Ms. Kelly, John Lennon noted her naiveté when he mentioned Brian Epstein’s sexual orientation.  Many people knew of Epstein’s homosexuality but paid it no attention.  Ms. Kelly was unaware and shocked to find out, but she did not change her opinion of him.  A number of celebrities have been knowingly gay – Liberace, Paul Lynde, Charles Nelson Reilly, Rip Taylor – but worked in their respective industries and were not castigated for their sexual orientations.  So in this day and age of enlightenment and political correctness, why do famous people feel the need to announce their personal proclivities?

It seems that being openly gay has become accepted in the entertainment industry; however, in the “manly” genre of professional sports, homosexuality appears contrary to the activity.  The stereotypical gay man is flamboyant, extroverted and demonstrative.  The homophobic responds with intolerance without realizing such behavior represents only a small percentage of the gay community.  I have never knowingly been in a locker room with a gay man, but I hope I would not be so shallow or hateful as to make him unwelcome or uncomfortable.  What really has me baffled is, as a professional athlete or entertainment celebrity, this question: “Why make the announcement about your sexual orientation?”

Are those in the limelight self-absorbed and in need of more attention?  Are they sticking their toe in the water to test the temperature of the public pool?  Or, are they scared of the consequences and want to let the public know before it makes its own discovery? I would imagine the reasons are as varied as the individuals that make these announcements.  In my mind, I don’t really care.  As long as you are a good human and live a loving and caring life, you have the right to live it anyway you see fit.  My only advice is, if you want to be considered an equal part of society, behave as if you are part of society; no caveats, no asterisks.  As the sports idiom goes, “act like you’ve been here before.”