Beyond the Closet

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer points out that in 'Life Beyond the Closet', Seidman shows how gay personal and pubic life has changed considerably over the past several decades, to the point that the closet is gradually fading and losing its viability. The writer maintains that especially since the 1990s, concurrent with a shift toward multiculturalism and tolerance in general, gays have secured civil rights and a sense of entitlement to basic freedoms and liberties. However, the writer discusses that normalizing homosexuals and making homosexuality mainstream falls short of achieving true equality and justice because normalization equals assimilation. Further, the writer points out that Seidman shows that gays and lesbians have a long way to go before becoming first-rate citizens of the United States.

From the Paper:

"Gays have become part of the mainstream and proudly visible on television and the media. However, normalizing homosexuals and making homosexuality mainstream falls short of achieving true equality and justice because normalization equals assimilation. Without challenging the oppressive social institutions that create homophobia, prejudice, and sexism, normalization is simply not enough. Furthermore, being out of the closet can be dangerous: Seidman notes that hate crimes against gays increased fourfold between 1991 and 1998, and since the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, there has been a 70% increase in gay and lesbian military discharges. Gay liberationism remains necessary in order to confront the underlying issues that fuel homophobia, sexism and other lingering injustices in American society."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Seidman, Steven. "Introduction." Beyond the Closet. Routledge.

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