So at the end of this month (January) I am slated to give a speech on gay marriage for my speech and debate class. I chose the subject because not only am I very well versed in the sociopolitical aspects of the issue, but also because I thought that it would give me a good platform to acknowledge my sexuality publicly for the first time. There are only six of us in the class plus the teacher, and I'm already out to two students in the class, however this will spread like wildfire. I am out to almost everyone that should know first (I have two more folks who I will take care of this week), so that is not a concern. These folks and I are a very close-knit group, only more so after the suicide of our close friend last November. They are all ok with me being gay, but the landscape of our extremely small school is unpredictable. I honestly have no clue how the general public will react, and they are tough nuts to crack. Not only that, but I would be coming out as the only openly gay male in our school. And while I may not be the most popular kid on the block, I'm a Student Council officer and have a generally positive relationship with my fellow students, not to mention that I'm visible outside of school as a newspaper columnist, non-profit board member and a member of a committee in local government. These factors considered, I'm wondering whether I should come out in the speech or just leave that tidbit out. I'm leaning towards including my sexuality in the speech, and I will meet with my close friends and some folks I consider my advisors on the issue to further discuss possible implications. Just to add to my over-analysis of this, I wanted to come here and ask your opinions on the matter. Every bit of advice helps, so thank you in advanced. Quick note: While it may seem like I am over-analyzing this and letting others help decide something that should (and will be) ultimately be my decision, I have spent years building up the reputation I have so that I can have the opportunities I have. The last thing I want is to throw it all away in an ill-informed decision. I want to come out, but I will take another couple years of the closet if it keeps me where I am. At this point, it's just business.
Hi, and welcome. Without really understaning the political/social climate at your school, size of the school, openness of the faculty, and such, it's difficult to give reliable information. My first sense is that, in 2014, a high school student who has already built out the reputation as leader, civic leader, responsible person, and decent human being isn't going to suffer much, if any, blowback from revealing sexual identity. It would be one thing if you were announcing that you were doing porn or involved in prostitution or something that's a lot more controversial and polarizing. But in an era where Anderson Cooper and Tim Cook are both publicly out, mostly to yawns from everyone, I don't think it's going to make much of a difference, *provided* that the environment in your school isn't run by the Evangelical Christian Temperence League or the Christian Women Against Common-Sense Fair Treatment of People as Humans or some other wingnut group. If it's a typical school in a reasonably moderate-to-liberal area, you should be fine.
I think you'll be fine, but just make sure that you're ready for the potential crap that may still come. Even if you're in a moderate to liberal area, there are probably still some radicals who will give you trouble if it spreads. I doubt this will be too big of an issue, but it's still a possibility that you might want to prepare for. Like Chip said, it's not like you're saying you're a prostitute or a porn star or something like that. You're coming out as who you are as a part of what I would assume is supposed to be a persuasive speech on same-sex marriage rights, and I would say that it makes sense.
I think you'll be fine. Obviously it's your decision, and you're the best qualified to determine how your friends, and your school will react, hell you may even want to talk to a teacher / adviser beforehand and see what they think as well. But I think in 2015 you should be fine . (I think Chip got his years mixed up ) lol Let us know how it goes!
