Happy Coming Out Day!

I'm sitting on my couch, watching Outrage, with mixed feelings. On the one hand, coming out is obviously deeply personal, and is something individuals should do on their own terms. On the other hand, as Harvey Milk encouraged,

Gay brothers and sisters,... You must come out. Come out... to your parents... I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives... come out to your friends... if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors... to your fellow workers... to the people who work where you eat and shop... come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene.

The targets in Outrage are outed specifically for hypocrisy - they are politicians who have consistently voted against, as one man describes it, the community they expect to hide them.

If you don't have HBO, the LA Times has a good review, and you can save a copy on Netflix.