why do they say in the closet? - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

javgier · 16th Jan 2012, 11:15 PM

why not say hiding under the bed? i think i would like to hide under the bed more then in the closet..... ive been locked in a closet before... and it was scary.... can i hide behind a tree? i think "hiding in plain sight" seems more reasonable... because were trying to seem straight? seem part of the crowd? the whole gay/bi/straight thing seems so groupy.... so why not "hide in plain sight"?

bigbenny · 16th Jan 2012, 11:33 PM

As you can see over on the left what mine is.
<---
I prefer that term because I am so often in bed :P

Ridiculous · 16th Jan 2012, 11:37 PM

It is derived from the saying "skeleton in the closet" I believe, referring to a secret that would damage someone's reputation if it was found out.

Now where "skeleton in the closet" came from, I don't know.

sanguine · 16th Jan 2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridiculous

It is derived from the saying "skeleton in the closet" I believe, referring to a secret that would damage someone's reputation if it was found out.

Now where "skeleton in the closet" came from, I don't know.

because skeletons refer to what's on the inside, sort of like a facade you cant hide no matter what

Alexandria · 16th Jan 2012, 11:43 PM

That, or because some like it standing up?

Ridiculous · 16th Jan 2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanguine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridiculous

It is derived from the saying "skeleton in the closet" I believe, referring to a secret that would damage someone's reputation if it was found out.

Now where "skeleton in the closet" came from, I don't know.

because skeletons refer to what's on the inside, sort of like a facade you cant hide no matter what

Yes, but why in a closet?

Ok, etymology time...
Origin:1800's. Refers to a literal corpse contained in a house, whose presence you are trying to keep secret from others, presumably because you murdered the person and you don't want to punished for it. Then evolved into meaning a secret in general, not an actual hidden body.

source: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/s...he-closet.html (and it even has a little bit at the bottom mentioning how it relates to the LGBT version of closeted)

I assume closets were perfectly built for containing dead bodies for long periods back then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandria

That, or because some like it standing up?

That too.

Bedroom Hymns · 17th Jan 2012, 04:38 AM

solarcat · 17th Jan 2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The present-day expression "coming out" is understood to have originated in the early 20th century from an analogy that likens homosexuals’ introduction into gay subculture to a débutante’s coming-out party. This is a celebration for a young upper-class woman who is making her début – her formal presentation to society – because she has reached adult age or has become eligible for marriage. As historian George Chauncey points out:

"Gay people in the pre-war years [pre-WWI]... did not speak of coming out of what we call the gay closet but rather of coming out into what they called homosexual society or the gay world, a world neither so small, nor so isolated, nor... so hidden as closet implies"

In fact, as Elizabeth Kennedy observes, "using the term 'closet' to refer to" previous times such as "the 1920s and 1930s might be anachronistic."

An article on coming out in the online encyclopedia glbtq.com states that sexologist Dr. Evelyn Hooker’s observations introduced the use of "coming out" to the academic community in the 1950s. The article continues by echoing Chauncey's observation that a subsequent shift in connotation occurred later on. The pre-1950s focus was on entrance into "a new world of hope and communal solidarity" whereas the post-Stonewall Riots overtone was an exit from the oppression of the closet. This change in focus suggests that "coming out of the closet" is a mixed metaphor that joins "coming out" with the closet metaphor: an evolution of "skeleton in the closet" specifically referring to living a life of denial and secrecy by concealing one’s homosexual or bisexual orientation. The closet metaphor, in turn, is extended to the forces and pressures of heterosexist society and its institutions.

yay Wiki!

javgier · 17th Jan 2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarcat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The present-day expression "coming out" is understood to have originated in the early 20th century from an analogy that likens homosexuals’ introduction into gay subculture to a débutante’s coming-out party. This is a celebration for a young upper-class woman who is making her début – her formal presentation to society – because she has reached adult age or has become eligible for marriage. As historian George Chauncey points out:

"Gay people in the pre-war years [pre-WWI]... did not speak of coming out of what we call the gay closet but rather of coming out into what they called homosexual society or the gay world, a world neither so small, nor so isolated, nor... so hidden as closet implies"

In fact, as Elizabeth Kennedy observes, "using the term 'closet' to refer to" previous times such as "the 1920s and 1930s might be anachronistic."

An article on coming out in the online encyclopedia glbtq.com states that sexologist Dr. Evelyn Hooker’s observations introduced the use of "coming out" to the academic community in the 1950s. The article continues by echoing Chauncey's observation that a subsequent shift in connotation occurred later on. The pre-1950s focus was on entrance into "a new world of hope and communal solidarity" whereas the post-Stonewall Riots overtone was an exit from the oppression of the closet. This change in focus suggests that "coming out of the closet" is a mixed metaphor that joins "coming out" with the closet metaphor: an evolution of "skeleton in the closet" specifically referring to living a life of denial and secrecy by concealing one’s homosexual or bisexual orientation. The closet metaphor, in turn, is extended to the forces and pressures of heterosexist society and its institutions.

yay Wiki!

and wiki saves that day O.e that was alot to load into my brain but lol im glad i know now XD

Emberstone · 17th Jan 2012, 04:03 PM

also, saying 'hiding under the bed' implies we are monsters...

javgier · 17th Jan 2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emberstone

also, saying 'hiding under the bed' implies we are monsters...

monsters hide in the closet 2....... XD

Ace17 · 19th Jan 2012, 03:10 PM

Why not just say something like keeping everyone in the dark?
When coming out say IM TURNING THE DAMN LIGHTS ON!!!
lol I have no idea what I am saying...in the closet is a wierd way to put it though.

Kenko · 28th Jan 2012, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emberstone

also, saying 'hiding under the bed' implies we are monsters...

Gaga seems to think we are.

16th Jan 2012, 11:15 PM	#1
javgier javier(new and improved) Regular Member Gender: im a guy Orientation: i think im gay Out Status: some friends and people in my mind Location: in a house.... in california Age: 17 Posts: 56 Join Date: Jan 2012	why do they say in the closet? why not say hiding under the bed? i think i would like to hide under the bed more then in the closet..... ive been locked in a closet before... and it was scary.... can i hide behind a tree? i think "hiding in plain sight" seems more reasonable... because were trying to seem straight? seem part of the crowd? the whole gay/bi/straight thing seems so groupy.... so why not "hide in plain sight"?

16th Jan 2012, 11:33 PM	#2
bigbenny Another kid Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: under my blankets Location: Nor Cal Age: 14 Posts: 21 Join Date: Dec 2011	Re: why do they say in the closet? As you can see over on the left what mine is. <--- I prefer that term because I am so often in bed :P

16th Jan 2012, 11:37 PM	#3
Ridiculous EC Addict Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Friends Location: New Zealand Age: 20 Posts: 934 Join Date: Dec 2010	Re: why do they say in the closet? It is derived from the saying "skeleton in the closet" I believe, referring to a secret that would damage someone's reputation if it was found out. Now where "skeleton in the closet" came from, I don't know.

16th Jan 2012, 11:43 PM	#5
Alexandria lost up North Full Member Gender: somewhere between male to female Orientation: prefer mostly fems, ish. Out Status: A few people Location: NW Canada Age: 31 Posts: 208 Join Date: Jan 2012	Re: why do they say in the closet? That, or because some like it standing up?

17th Jan 2012, 04:38 AM	#7
Bedroom Hymns The Morning Fog Regular Member Gender: Happy with my willy, but I don't care for gender. Orientation: I like phallic objects and muscles. Out Status: Some friends, some relatives (both my parents). Location: Under the ice Age: 16 Posts: 297 Join Date: Dec 2011	Re: why do they say in the closet? __________________ Between two lungs it was released, The breath that passed from you to me, That flew between us as we slept, That slipped from your mouth, into mine it crept.

17th Jan 2012, 04:03 PM	#10
Emberstone Flappychap Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Oregon, USA Age: 28 Posts: 5,595 Join Date: May 2008	Re: why do they say in the closet? also, saying 'hiding under the bed' implies we are monsters... __________________ TYPE YOUR NAME: Cory. TYPE YOUR NAME WITH YOUR ELBOW: vcoiptryu SLAM YOUR FACE ON THE KEYBOARD: About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how potent that part might be - that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

19th Jan 2012, 03:10 PM	#12
Ace17 Sometimes Ignorance is NOT bliss. Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian ♀♀ Out Status: Ask me about it. Location: New York State. Age: 17 Posts: 766 Join Date: Jan 2012	Re: why do they say in the closet? Why not just say something like keeping everyone in the dark? When coming out say IM TURNING THE DAMN LIGHTS ON!!! lol I have no idea what I am saying...in the closet is a wierd way to put it though. __________________ "Love is like the air we breathe. It may not always be seen, but it is always felt, used and needed." "Love knows no race, gender, or age. Love only knows the heart that is within."

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