2007-01-15 14:09:22 · 13 answers · asked by Ashley 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Ooh, good question.
If a guy is closeted because he is afraid to come out, or because he hasn't come to terms with his sexual orientation, then that's understandable. I think most gay men have been there.
But if a guy is closeted, and he dates women just to cover his a**, and he disparages gay men, then I have no respect for that person.
2007-01-15 14:26:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
i believe that respect is something that has to be earned or unearned.. gay men that i have never met, well, i don't really hold any opinions about them. call it neutral or indifference..
but i do feel a sort of brotherhood or common bond.. kinda like the same way i would feel about other people who also like the same football team i do..
but overall, sexual orientation is a very personal subject. nobody should feel obligated to broadcast their orientation to you, me, or anyone else..
society has brainwashed everyone into thinking that we are all straight unless/until we make some sort of "major announcement to the world" that we are not straight.. well, this is crap. society sucks and i reject it..
but your question is a great one as this is certainly a huge issue.. i know some gays will feel that other gays are "betraying them" but not broadcasting their sexuality, and by not showing pride in their sexuality..
but again, sexuality is something we are born with.. i only feel pride when i actually accomplish something.. not something i am born with.
additional comment: i just saw the other answers when i posted this. i agree with everyone that using straight people as a cover up is wrong and cruel and i would have absolutely NO respect for any of these users..
2007-01-15 17:37:50 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i pity them more than anything. living a life that is a lie is a tough choice and brings much shame to these individuals who believe that, for whatever reason, living in the shadows is acceptable. being gay doesn't go away... it can't be swept under the rug... and sexuality is a strong element of every human, so to stay buried in the closet is begging for a life of unhappiness and the misery of lying to those you love and who love you (and, by the way, who probably already know you're gay). it's a fool's paradise to live in the closet.
2007-01-15 14:44:42 · answer #3 · answered by nystrele 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I respect those who are closeted because I know it's difficult to come out but it's the choices that they make while in the closet, you can really end up making alot of bad decisions and doing alot of careless things.
2007-01-15 15:16:23 · answer #4 · answered by What'd You Say? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I respect their decision because there may no other practical choice for them at the point they are at in their lives.
However, I do have great scorn for those who remain in the closet and USE other people as a cover and end up hurting them in the process. I also have scorn for closeted homosexuals who engage in gay bashing to "prove" to others how "straight" they are.
If someone needs to stay closeted, then fine, but don't bring others down to do so.
2007-01-15 14:21:11 · answer #5 · answered by castle h 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes, because in some places, or some job positions it may cause a lot of trouble to be out of the closet, I also do not think that people should have to introduce their sexuality, people will say things like; "Oh, that is Trevor, he is gay, he is a good friend." But for some reason they wouldn't say; "Oh, that is Trevor, he is straight, he is a good friend." or things like. "That is Cecelia, she is a lesbian." But not things like; "Oh that is Cecelia, she likes heterosexual sex!"
Honestly, I think people make too much of a fuss over same sex people sleeping together. Like it has to be announced or something, it doesn't. If some one comes over for dinner and Trevor (above) introduces his partner Alex, well great, because that was a good enough friend to come to dinner. But why should Trevor have to tell everyone he meets that he sleeps with men.
Would Trevor have to tell them if he slept with women?
2007-01-15 16:20:58 · answer #6 · answered by Yosuke A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I respect everyone's decisions because I want no one disrespecting mine. I would try to convince them in a supportive manner that hiding is not the answer to their problems but without being to insistent.
And it's always better to come out of the closet rather than being pulled out or stumble out.
2007-01-15 14:17:33 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's their decision as long as they are not living a lie. My ex husband is a perfect example of this. He had no business getting married or having children. He thrust his secret into my life as well as the lives of my kids and that is not fair. I have been divorced for years but still hear about the secret homosexual affairs he had before and during our marriage. You need to be true to yourself and people will respect you for that. Don't lie and use other people to cover up that lie.
2007-01-15 14:29:00 · answer #8 · answered by Sue T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am not a man nor am i a lesibain.. but i would respect them .. no matter what..if they respected me enough why would i not return the favor..some people have a hard time to come out.. i mean family and friends and all... my daughter had a hard enough time telling me she was bi. let alone telling me it was a first cousin// i love her anyway.. other peopel are more judgemental
2007-01-15 14:28:43 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i wish that they would be honest with themselves and not be afraid of themselves. i don't exactly not respect it, but i don't respect their decision either. they've got nothing to be afraid of. Roosevelt said it best (& this goes fer any fear) 'The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself'. it's like Mariah Carey said as well 'u don't have to be afraid of what u are'
2007-01-16 04:12:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋