What is your opinion about "outing" someone who is gay or lesbian?

Question

"Outing" is revealing someone's sexual preference to other people or the public at large without their knowledge or consent.

I have to write a brief paper for a sociology class on this subject. I know what my opinions are regarding "outing" people; though, I am very interested in knowing what other people think or feel about this process.

Some things to think about—for instance:

*Is it ok to "out" someone if they are living a hypocritical life? [If they are secretly engaging in homosexual activities while publicly denouncing homosexuals.]

*Is it ok to "out" someone because everyone has the right to know who is gay for their own protection? [In the interest of health, such as HIV concerns.]

*Should people NEVER be "outed" because they have the right to privacy and live their lives as they choose, just as everyone else?

Thanks for your time and thoughtful answers.

Answer 1

I think people have the right to privacy. Also to chose if they want to be a closet gay or open as it is a personal choice. Everybody has different standards of what they think is acceptable. Who are we to force our standards on someone else.
Although I would be very tempted to out someone who if they are living a hypocritical life. If you are a closet gay, keep your mouth shut, otherwise you are asking for trouble.

Answer 2

Sexual preference is a private issue, and it is never "right" to out somone else.

There is no higher chance that a homosexual will have an STD such as HIV than there is that anyone engaging in promiscuous sexual activities has an STD. Therefore, the issue of which gender they choose to have their sexual relationships with, whether it is the same gender or another gender, should have no basis on this issue.

And there will always be hypocrital people of every denomination on every highly-charged political issue, so no reason to single out any single group. We aren't able to "out" all hypocrites, so why pick on a single group.

Really, if someone wants to make it known publicly, they are free to do so themselves - otherwise the issue is really no one else's business.

Answer 3

Let's say that this person is, indeed, a homosexual who is living with a wife and family. He is having an affair with another man. The 'other man' has found out he is HIV positive, he tells his partner and urges his partner to tell his wife, just out of compassion and social responsibility. The husband refuses to tell his wife even though his wife is probably infected since they didn't use condoms. Then, I think the 'other man' or the doctor should tell the wife, especially if she is breastfeeding or pregnant as the virus can be passed to the baby.
In any other case, where there is no harm being done, no it is not the responsibility of anyone but the said person to 'out' them.

Answer 4

"Outing" other people can have dire consequences, for outers and outees alike. Truth be told, and quite unfortunately, homophobia is alive and well. It is still common for employers to fire people who are GLBT, even where it is illegal. (They can find ways around the law- trust me here.) They can also lose their families. Not to mention that a person's reputation could be ruined- unfair but true. In the case of GLBT youth who may be financially dependent on their parents at the time of being outed, they could find themselves on the streets. Not to mention that no one has any right to know the personal life of anybody else- straight, gay, or bi. Lawsuits can and do happen from revealing to people the personal lives of others- and with all of the negative fallout that comes with it. The bottom line? Outing is a big time NO.

Answer 5

I'm a lesbian and have been pretty out for over thirty years. I think everyone should be out - it would change society if the average person was aware of how many gay and lesbian people there truly are and what a great diversity of cultures, races and socioeconomic classes we occupy. But, except in extreme classes, I wouldn't out anyone. I've concealed my own true identity a number of times, most due to job prejudices (teaching in a small town) and safety issues. I do think that you should out the hell out of anyone in the public eye who is gay-bashing while living a secret life, but average people have a right to decide who knows in their own lives. Being out can be dangerous, it can estrange families and jeopardize jobs. Out gays and lesbians can loose their children.

Answer 6

if i had say a male friend who was a closeted homosexual, i certainly would never blurt it out to others. its of no business and that i have no right to reveal his sexuality in front of his peers or whoever. regardless of whether or not i have his consent. if it doesn't concern me, then i should not have any say or influence in his decision. but i would also tell him that he cannot keep it a secret forever. he cannot keep this to himself because by doing so not only is he causing further problems for, as well as and hurting himself, but he'll be deceiving his partners too.

but in case of say a married man living a double life as a homosexual and sleeping with another guy, that's considered cheating- just as much as a straight man/woman cheating on their wife/husband, and a gay/lesbian person cheating on their partner with another gay/lesbian or a gay/lesbian cheating on their gay/lesbian partner with someone of the opposite sex as them. would i out a person by tell everyone else that he/she is gay/a lesbian? no because as i said, it has nothing to do with me.

i can understand why certain people don't want to be outed, for fear of physical retaliation or nasty homophobic jibes directed at them. yet regardless of their sexual orientation, in a relationship it is always a two-way thing between one person to the other- and cheating is still cheating. if someone is having an affair, then eventually the other person will find out at some stage.

Answer 7

I think it's a MYOB situation. If the person's 'gay' lifestyle endangers a loved one of yours (subjective you) you should then speak to the loved one. It's no one else's business what someone else's lifestyle/preference/choice is.

Answer 8

Personal ethics are subjective. There's no right answer.

But for me, I'd not out someone unless it was like a Ted Haggard situation.

Answer 9

No, I would not do that to anyone. In my opinion, it's none of anyone's business. The decision to "come out" should be up to that person only.