The Practice of ‘Outing’ Draws Fire

We realize there are strong arguments both for and against gay and lesbian outing, and that the question of how best to deal with societal and internalized homophobia will be debated for many years to come.

We wish to offer the following scenario: One day in the not too distant future, every gay male and lesbian in the U.S. will be open and visible. This can happen if all gay men and lesbians respond candidly to the U.S. Census questionnaire. This is a once in a decade opportunity for us, as members of an often invisible and ignored minority, to be accurately counted. With pride, let us say to the nongay community: “We are everywhere.”

LOIS J. WUNDERLEY

MURIEL N. NESBITT

San Diego