Why We Need To Do Away With "Coming Out" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why We Need To Do Away With "Coming Out"

What if we flipped the table and instead it was straight people having to come out?

28
Why We Need To Do Away With "Coming Out"
Pinterest

First of all, I want to clarify that you yourself are not straight, bi, queer, or gay. Those are only labels. You are a person who happens to have the sexuality of straight, bi, queer, or gay, and your sexuality does not define you nor should it. My thoughts towards these labels is a conversation for another day but I understand that our current society, myself included, finds comfort in being able to place people in certain boxes and if my frequent use of these labels offends anyone throughout this article, I apologize, please know that was not my intention.


You're really nervous. Your hands are shaking. Your stomach is nauseous. You haven't slept in weeks thinking about everything that could go wrong when you walk downstairs and look your family in the eyes and recite the same couple of words you've been rehearsing... "Mom? Dad? I'm straight."

What's abnormal about that? It's probably the fact that as a straight woman I'm not expected to tell anyone that. So tell me, why is it that we expect those that are gay to make a grand announcement to every person they meet, over and over again? It's like they can't be gay until WE know that their gay from them coming out and telling us that they're gay. But Guys it's 2017....when are we gonna stop assuming everyone is straight? There should be no #nationalcomingoutday because coming out shouldn't be a thing!

The idea of "coming out" has been made up to be this grand announcement rooted in fear and anxiety, fear and anxiety that the family and friends one "comes out" to will look at them with judgment. Fear and anxiety that the family and friends one "comes out" to won't love them the same because they don't really like the boys in their class, or any boys at all for that matter, or for boys that they don't see themselves ever with a bride but instead, a groom.

What if we flipped the table and instead it was straight people having to come out? What if every single person you knew felt they needed verifcation that you were in fact straight. Can you imagine yourself having to work up the courage over the span of weeks to months, to even years just to walk down to your family, look them in the eye and say "Mom? Dad? I'm straight." This seems odd right, stupid even? Well, it kinda is stupid when you think about it because our society has made this universal assumption that everyone is straight until proven otherwise. But that's where we've messed up. It's time that we realize that this notion of thinking is long outdated. If gay people are expected to "come out" then straight people should have to come out too.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190313
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14963
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457914
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26663
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments