Outrageous

A month or so ago I found a preview for the new documentary, “Outrage,” on Pam’s House Blend. Watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rja6cqlCsEg

On a deeply ethical level, I’m divided about my opinion of this film. On the one hand I adamantly believe in exposing the lies used against the LGBT community—the controvertible arguments the religious right pitches only serve as fuel for anti-LGBT hatred and, I’d argue, can only result in more discrimination and violence (granted, I don’t have the figures to back this, but I’m sure I could write a lovely graduate thesis arguing as much). On the other hand, this documentary aims to attack the tenacious twaddle of the religious right by revealing the hypocrisy of closeted gay politicians advocating against gay rights. It seems to me that staying in the closet is truly unhealthy: it puts up a façade of normalcy all the while it suffocates the spirit; however, the time and the means of “coming out” ought to be self-determined. Do we have really think we have the right to out other people, even if they are working against the rights of those whom they share affinity?

Barney Frank evidently believes we do have that right, arguing, “There’s a right to privacy, but there’s no right to hypocrisy.” Others have suggested that these politicians being closeted presents a very real threat to the LGBT community—“the closet can kill.” And it’s this point that leaves me conflicted. I agree that the hypocrisy of these politicians is outstanding and it is effective at poking holes in the already-flimsy arguments of anti-gay advocates. That said I’ve always felt people had the right to decide when and if to come out, and if they never come out, well, that’s their prerogative. We live in a dangerous world—it is not safe to be out as LGBT, especially not when you’re in the public eye and the bulk of the people you associate with are ravenous homophobes. The kinds of pressure society places on people who are different can be overwhelming, and it’s understandable to be terrified into suppressing one’s true self. Who in the trans community cannot empathize with that? I don’t necessarily feel outrage at their actions so much as I pity them for allowing themselves to be paralyzed with fear. Whatever their motivation, it is heartbreaking to see LGBT people so engrained with self hatred that they would actively fight against the rights of their people.

Outing these politicians may hurt them in more profound ways than simply crushing their careers—being outed like this could potentially destroy their families, alienate them from their “friends,” and violently force them to deal with a lifetime of self denial and hatred. And yet, reading some comments LGBTQ individuals have made about this documentary I get the distinct impression the queer community is letting its vengeful side get the best of them. I would hope we have other means of combating the lies and filth of the religious right, rather than relying on the hypocrisy of our political opponents; I would hope we could show more compassion for these people who must be struggling with considerable inner turmoil. Instead of sparking rage, I hope this documentary elicits a swell of pity. More powerful than the unveiling of hypocrisy or the just (or unjust) outing of closeted politicians is the story of people, pretending to be something they are not, trapped in an internal struggle between what they are told they should be and what they really are.