Is Out In ?
This blog’s fascinated readers would probably forgive FuelMix for vomiting every time he sees an effervescent piece of pap, masquerading as reportage, that yet another himbo or “thinking woman’s stud” has confessed to being, or was threatened to be exposed as, a fag.
Most of these silly tabloids do it for profit. But before hissing and spitting venom at them, it should be remembered that the himbo and ‘thinking woman’s stud” also acquiesce to being Outed. There is a huge difference between being Outed As A Form Of Ambush; and Agreeing To Be Outed (usually by way of self-proclamation or the granting of an exclusive interview, carefully negotiated in advance precisely for that purpose).
It used to be the case that Outed As A Form Of Ambush was exactly that. Sort of like a paintball game. Splat!! You’re Hit!! You’re Out!! But not now…….Outing As A Form Of Ambush has morphed into something more genteel, more nuanced, more calculated, more politically correct, more consensual, more engineered to foster healthy debate over the family dinner table…….more Machiavellian in order to keep the sponsors coming.
Sure, the Outed fag might initially squeal, flee, make a tearful admission, or a defiant declaration. But, everybody loves a happy ending (no pun intended) and after a period of reflection, a good talk with the agent, they usually end up supplementing their initial exposure on a day-time talk show or give a prime-time interview in soft focus with plenty of black and white photographs of their apparently idyllic yet tortured childhood “just knowing they were different”.
Most of these silly tabloids do it for profit. But before hissing and spitting venom at them, it should be remembered that the himbo and ‘thinking woman’s stud” also acquiesce to being Outed. There is a huge difference between being Outed As A Form Of Ambush; and Agreeing To Be Outed (usually by way of self-proclamation or the granting of an exclusive interview, carefully negotiated in advance precisely for that purpose).
It used to be the case that Outed As A Form Of Ambush was exactly that. Sort of like a paintball game. Splat!! You’re Hit!! You’re Out!! But not now…….Outing As A Form Of Ambush has morphed into something more genteel, more nuanced, more calculated, more politically correct, more consensual, more engineered to foster healthy debate over the family dinner table…….more Machiavellian in order to keep the sponsors coming.
Sure, the Outed fag might initially squeal, flee, make a tearful admission, or a defiant declaration. But, everybody loves a happy ending (no pun intended) and after a period of reflection, a good talk with the agent, they usually end up supplementing their initial exposure on a day-time talk show or give a prime-time interview in soft focus with plenty of black and white photographs of their apparently idyllic yet tortured childhood “just knowing they were different”.
With very few people having the sperm count to call it for what it is, Agreeing To Be Outed is the name of the New Gay Game. It’s a junket, in the same way that a movie star might make whistlestop tours to promote a film, take questions and wax lyrical about the character they play in it.
Despite what fags might be reading and led to believe, Out is not In as per the way one might think. It’s morphed into something else because it’s commercially expedient, both for the Outer and the Outee. Agreeing To Be Outed is so effective and profitable that increasing numbers of straights are comfortable being described as “ambiguous” or “rumoured to be……….”
Originally published 25 April 2008.
Amended and Republished 1 May 2017
Despite what fags might be reading and led to believe, Out is not In as per the way one might think. It’s morphed into something else because it’s commercially expedient, both for the Outer and the Outee. Agreeing To Be Outed is so effective and profitable that increasing numbers of straights are comfortable being described as “ambiguous” or “rumoured to be……….”
Originally published 25 April 2008.
Amended and Republished 1 May 2017
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Nice. A slick and cynical analysis, but strangely right in a funny sort of way. Maybe gays are just turning numb to the numbers of people "coming out" however u define it but your point that's it's being engineered, is well taken.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's engineered. U expect a closet fag whose apparent masculinity, income and media exposure (not to mention his agent's commission)are at stake to give up control of how he's outed?? What's shocking is how so few people have commented on it.
ReplyDelete