- Joined
- Jul 30, 2016
This has been debated a lot since like 2015, but I'm interested to hear what you guys think. Is it harder to come out as conservative in today's cultural climate than it is to come out as gay? Or even non-binary/trans/etc.?
When I say "harder", I don't necessarily mean "coming out to your family or close friends". I would have a much harder time telling my grandparents that I'm chopping my dick off than I did when I told them that I voted for Trump. I'm more talking about "coming out" in the workplace, to colleagues and acquaintances, and publicly (like putting a bumper sticker on your car).
I understand that this questions depends a lot on who you associate with, where you work, etc. Espousing conservative talking points is going to be a lot easier at a mechanic's shop than it is at a Starbucks.
I think it's become 10 times worse since COVID. It shouldn't even be a political issue, but of course we all know that it is. I was talking to my mom the other night. Everyone on her side of the family is firmly entrenched on the left (except my uncle who I'm fairly certain is even more deeply closeted than I am). When my mom told her I wasn't vaccinated, she unironically told my mom not to tell anyone else in the family because I would likely be disowned. She was 100% serious. I asked if she used that exact word, "disowned". Apparently she did. It got me thinking about this question.
I've been working in academia the past couple years. I know that the issue is magnified tenfold in that environment, but having to fake it is honestly becoming grating. I've had to lie to colleagues and say that I'm fully vaccinated because I'm terrified of being shunned if I say otherwise. I'm wearing a fucking mask even though it's not required because I'm scared I'll be singled out if I don't. I smile and nod and play along when people talk about how bad the GOP is and how great everyone on the left is. Don't get me started on the trans issue. I used to laugh at the gay trope that they are "living a lie". I think I'm actually starting to get it now. It's exhausting pretending to be someone you're not.
Am I just being overdramatic about all of this? Am I being a snowflake? The type of person I hate? What say you?
When I say "harder", I don't necessarily mean "coming out to your family or close friends". I would have a much harder time telling my grandparents that I'm chopping my dick off than I did when I told them that I voted for Trump. I'm more talking about "coming out" in the workplace, to colleagues and acquaintances, and publicly (like putting a bumper sticker on your car).
I understand that this questions depends a lot on who you associate with, where you work, etc. Espousing conservative talking points is going to be a lot easier at a mechanic's shop than it is at a Starbucks.
I think it's become 10 times worse since COVID. It shouldn't even be a political issue, but of course we all know that it is. I was talking to my mom the other night. Everyone on her side of the family is firmly entrenched on the left (except my uncle who I'm fairly certain is even more deeply closeted than I am). When my mom told her I wasn't vaccinated, she unironically told my mom not to tell anyone else in the family because I would likely be disowned. She was 100% serious. I asked if she used that exact word, "disowned". Apparently she did. It got me thinking about this question.
I've been working in academia the past couple years. I know that the issue is magnified tenfold in that environment, but having to fake it is honestly becoming grating. I've had to lie to colleagues and say that I'm fully vaccinated because I'm terrified of being shunned if I say otherwise. I'm wearing a fucking mask even though it's not required because I'm scared I'll be singled out if I don't. I smile and nod and play along when people talk about how bad the GOP is and how great everyone on the left is. Don't get me started on the trans issue. I used to laugh at the gay trope that they are "living a lie". I think I'm actually starting to get it now. It's exhausting pretending to be someone you're not.
Am I just being overdramatic about all of this? Am I being a snowflake? The type of person I hate? What say you?
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