"We recruit" may be one of the mottoes of the country's gay-exclusionary military, but it's often tied, oddly enough, to the "gay agenda" (whatever that's supposed to be this week). As if we needed to break even one French-manicured nail or waste one gallon of diesel fuel promoting our "lifestyle" in hopes that even more better-looking, fresh-faced newbies hop the fence and join the competition for available domestic partnership material! One glance through our Personals will tell you that we've already got more hot queer singles on our plates than even the most respectable serial-one-night-stand queen can dish about.
National Coming Out Day is October 11, and it can look like one big queer pledge drive. If anything, though, the whole "coming out" hullabaloo has grown of its own accord, as people from all walks of life finally feel free to take charge of their own identities, liberated from the pressures of the past to conform to any one image of themselves -- be it gay or straight.
This year's theme is "Talk About It" -- and our community has done nothing but this year! James McGreevey came out with a tell-all memoir about his "boastful, passionate, whispering, masculine kind of love." Lance Bass put rumors to rest by declaring he was out -- and in love with "The Amazing Race" star Reichen Lemkuhl!
For every Mark Foley, there's a Christopher Cabaldon -- and with the midterm elections coming up, we're glad that out gay politicians like Matt Titone and Tammy Baldwin are being heard.
George Takei, who just came out last year, began actively supporting LGBT rights -- including the Equality Ride organized by Soulforce, whose leader Mel White, is spurring young, often Christian LGBT youth to speak out at colleges that discriminate against gays and military recruitment centers for "don't ask, don't tell."
Meanwhile, Rosie O'Donnell brought her point of view to "The View" and Ellen was tapped to host the Oscars.
And then there's you. Take a look at -- and give a salute to -- all the brave individuals who've exited the closet with a tambourine and a smile. If you're not there yet, get help coming out gracefully And if you are, share your own coming-out story now!
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