Could someone please answer this question about a homosexual term used?

Question

Why do people say things with the word "closet"? Like, "coming out of the closet" ... what is up with that? I'm really confused! As a straight person, I feel a bit somewhat sorry that homosexual people have to put up with this ridiculous thing...

Thanks for answers in advance! =)

Answer 1

You typically hide things in the closet that you don't want people to see. So, it's like they're hiding their sexuality in a closet because they dont want others to know.

Answer 2

It is not really ridiculous. The term Coming out of the closet simply means taking off the mask and showing people the real you that you normally hide behind closed doors.

Answer 3

You are right, people who are gay and lesbian should not have to ever hide their sexual orientation-- but often it is just safer to hide (being in the closet). When they do decide to let people know, this is known as revealing oneself-- coming out of the closet.

There is an associated expression about skeletons in the closet, meaning dark secrets from one's past. If you see the skeletons in someone's closet, that means you've found out a secret.

Come to think of it, that makes the whole closet expression more unsettling.

Best regards.

Answer 4

I think the term is used not to discriminate in any way, just a way of describing a group of people who fall under this category.
I think that homosexuals must find the courage to fight for thier rights, and come out in the open. I know it's tough on em, but if don't do it themselves and keep expecting others to do it for em then it seems unfair to me. I am not a homosexual, and as much as i feel the responsibility to speak up against all forms of discriminatons out there as much as i can, if these folks choose to remain as closet gays then i can't help much.

Answer 5

Coming out of the closet simply means that a gay person has openly announced and made it official that they are gay. Just like people keep things hidden in the closet for others not to see. . . . for years gays kept their homosexuality hidden. The proper etiquite for coming out of the closet is this. Any and all cute girls who are lesbians should come out of the closet. Hot chicks being lesbian should and is accepted in our society because they are hot. However. . . . butch girls and gay gays should go as far back into the closet as possible. Butch girls are nasty and gay guys is just plain wrong!

Answer 6

Okay, I am also a "straight" person. Straight is pretty silly when you think about it. Anyway, have you ever heard about skeletons in the closet? Those would be considered secrets. So, if you are "In the closet" you are keeping a big secret about yourself.

That is how I always looked at it.

Answer 7

People say the term coming out of the closet because it derives fromt he term, skeletons in the closet. That means that people have things in theri life that they keep private and don't share with others, and where do people ususally hide these things? In their closet. So coming out the closet means you are letting your secret, the thing you were hiding out of its hiding place.... the closet.

Answer 8

It basically is a figure of speech meaning "to come out of hiding". The term "closet" isn't derogatory towards homosexuals. The requirement to be in one is derogatory though.

Answer 9

In days before straight people became enlightend, they thought all gay people dressed in the clothing of the opposite sex. But those who were not public about their orientation would only wear those things inside the closet. Dumb idea, but anyway, the idea of coming out of the closet meant that you'd wear your gay rags in public.

Answer 10

A closet is dark,where deep secrets are hidden.Coming out and exposing into the light. Things that once were forbidden and taboo ,are no longer things to hide.