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gay role models
One of the reasons for lack of gay role models is that half the people who
are gay and might well be good role models are not known to be gay. This is
one reason for coming out of the closet. It generally helps all gay people
when people can look at a person who is their friend, co-worker family
member, etc. and realize that he is no different from anyone else, even
though he may be gay.
I think the issue facing gays is basically a civil rights issue, and the
people in our generation have to have courage to be the first ones to take
a seat at the front of the bus, as Rosa Parks did in the civil rights
movement for blacks in America. Of course, a lot of gay people have come
out of the closet, but more haven't, especially in both the Asian community
and in Asian countries.
I am a school teacher in a boy's junior and senior high school in Japan,
and I haven't yet come out at the school despite my belief in the value of
coming out. In my case it's a matter of working myself up to the point,
and that is what I would advocate for fellow gay people--embarking on a
gradually process of coming out.
We do need good gay role models. Sure many straight people don't offer
much to their own kind in the way of being role models, but there are among
them mothers, fathers, teachers, professionals, sisters, brothers, etc. who
make positive impressions on the people in their own circles. We, gay
people, could do the same for young gay men and women who are having such a
hard time accepting themselves. The first and most important step in that
regard is for us to completely accept ourselves and begin the coming out
process.
Bruce Leo Dauphin
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/dauphin
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