Sensationalism Does Not Instill Pride

Coming out--that is, revealing to others one's attractions--is necessary for dignity. It is an expression of one's passions without remorse or apology. It is so rare that we are able, as a society, to tell others how we really feel. Thus, telling our friends, families and potential partners what we've been thinking about all these years establishes a bond so profound that even the most ignorant bigot (or the most strident gay activist) can neither sever nor belittle it. It is for these reasons that coming out should be encouraged (when the time is right), and that those considering coming out should receive assistance when examining their thoughts.

The question begging to be answered, then, is how best we, as students of all sexual orientations, can help others find their way out of the darkness of the closet.

The very nature of Coming Out Day ensures that coming out is a political act; theoretically, it is an activity partaken en masse, nationwide. It would seem, then, that the posters at Harvard serve more of a political purpose than that of encouraging students to come out of the closet.

To insist solely that coming out in and of itself should be a political statement is to encourage a destructive reductionism of self. It is a group saying to a closeted individual, "Your thoughts and passions belong to us and our agenda, now, and we will represent them on posters as we interpret them."

What are some of the thoughts and passions of the gay community, as represented by yesterday's posters? How about, "I praise the good Lord with my wet, quivering clitoris," or, "St. Sebastian: the first fag in the military." What in these posters would encourage a closeted student to attempt to convey his or her most intimate feelings?

Perhaps the most tragic flaw in the current manifestation of Coming Out Day is that we are putting words in closeted students' mouths. Ironically, though, these students haven't even spoken, yet. They may not yet be ready to speak, yet we attempt to lure them out of the closet with posters that portray lesbian sex and read: "We don't enjoy cock at all." And then, to make matters worse, we claim to be speaking for them, to be representing those who cannot represent themselves. Such paternalism is, again, harmful; speaking for closeted students who are not yet prepared to speak is just as bad as stifling their speech in the first place. We are not helping them out of the closet, but rather, we are stealing their silence.

For whom is Coming Out Day intended? Although the answer may seem obvious, the Harvard "festivities" are perplexing. What is the value of random, strident and possibly offensive posters? While it is true that existing conceptions of gender and sexual roles must be called into question, it is inappropriate to pursue this goal on Coming Out Day. To challenge an existing structure inherently entails conflict. For a closeted student, inner conflict is a daily reality. Why should he or she leave the safety of the closet in order to add external conflict to that already occurring in his or her mind?

Instead, it appears that the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered and Supporters Association (BGLTSA), or at least its most vocal members, has chosen to forget the pain and uncertainty of the closet and to perpetuate the facade of life as one big party. This is the image we project to the community at large.

Coming-Out Day '98 featured such gems as, "Have more sex. Join BGLTSA." and "Can I bum a fag?" During the ROTC debate (at which time, both authors of this piece were on the Undergraduate Council and supported the BGLTSA's efforts in that matter), BGLTSA touted flyers depicting a topless soldier accompanied by the caption, "Who's been a naughty soldier?" Gaypril '99 spawned a new marketing campaign for homosexuality--BGLTSA co-opted Nike's logo and slogan by writing "DYKE: Just did it."

Perhaps this last example illustrates most effectively the general public strategy of the BGLTSA--like any good agent of capitalism, it seeks to market non-straightness, as if affection were a consumable good. Since coming out is prerequisite to all non-straight political action, National Coming Out Day is the most opportune moment to posture. By ostensibly contributing to a greater good--namely freedom from having to hide one's affections--all grandstanding, all obscene posters (e.g. "Have you tasted your own menstrual blood? How about starting with your partner's?"), all reductions of complex human identity to the size of a piece of poster-board appear justified.

These actions are not justified, for all they accomplish is the alienation of many in the Harvard community, including those fumbling in dark closets.

We should come out (everyday). We should be politically active. We should hold killer dances and literary events and tables in the Quad and art exhibits and theatrical presentations. But, in addition, there needs to be a safe place within the community where those questioning or hiding themselves can meet with others like them, others who are comfortable with themselves and those who are straight and compassionate. Perhaps the BGLTSA should first provide a more comfortable environment and then, when such students are ready, involve them in the pursuit of political goals that do not divide us.

Sensationalism is puerile, immature and ineffective. It serves only to tear apart communities and individuals within those communities. The suicide of a particular student at an American university last year best embodies this phenomenon. In his own words:

"My ex-boyfriend once told me that if I'm not gyrating to Abba while oozing pride, I'm just not good enough. He thinks that the queer community is lucky to be different from me. That's what bothers me--not being excluded in a straight world but being secluded in a gay one. I can be a minority, but I don't know how to a minority within a minority."

Cliff S. Davidson '02 is a social studies concentrator in Kirkland House. Alex A. Boni-Saenz '01 is a psychology concentrator in Eliot House.