The Repercussions of Gays’ Coming Out

Thank you for the article on the coming out of Dave Hoen (“A Difficult Path Out of the Closet, Oct. 6, Dianne Klein column). I am a gay male, 35 and “open” to all my friends and co-workers. Although there have been some problems with this, on the whole it has been a positive experience. For the most part my co-workers have been supportive and caring and have been able to continue to deal with me on a professional basis.

I do not consider myself to be “political,” and while I cannot condone their actions, I am thankful for groups like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and Queer Nation. Every minority needs its “extremist” groups, and although we may not agree with them, they do serve a purpose.

I believe, however, that coming out is just as much a political statement as anything that ACT UP does. When the Dannemeyers and the Sheldons (U.S. Rep. William E. Dannemeyer and Traditional Values Coalition director the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon) begin to attack us, it is important for the straight community to know who we are. As long as we remain a nameless, faceless minority, its easy to hate us. As soon as you can put names and faces to homosexuals, they cease to become a “minority” and are now your co-workers, supervisors, and friends.

It is important that the straight community realize that we are everywhere. We are your teachers and students, your ministers and parishioners, your neighbors and relatives. I believe that for many of the women I work with, I’m the only gay man they know (or the only one they think they know). Now, for these women, gay means me, not some silent minority.

That is why coming out is so important. I hope I have made some difference in their lives. I may not change the world, but I may have changed one person’s attitude. And that’s a good start.

DAVID CRAMER, Anaheim