Right: Andrew Hornery: ''As a gay man I'm well aware of how deeply discrimination hurts. The last thing I would ever want to do is inflict that pain on someone else''.

Found a word you're not familiar with? Double-click that word to bring up a dictionary reference to it. The dictionary page includes an audio sound file with which to actually hear the word said.

Arguments against outing gay celebrities

1. Sexual orientation is a private matter

Critics claim that celebrities have a right to privacy and that this is especially important in regard to their sexual lives. If a celebrity has committed a sexual crime, that may need to be public knowledge; however, sexual practices that take place between consenting adults are matters that concern only the parties involved. Critics argue that sexual privacy is vital because sexuality is a sensitive issue fundamental to people's identity. Disrespecting sexual privacy ignores a person's humanity.

Australia has limited protection for its citizens' sexual privacy. In Australia, the Human Rights (Sexual Conduct) Act 1994 (Commonwealth of Australia) aims to provide individuals with a shield against Commonwealth, State and Territory laws which arbitrarily interfere with their sexual privacy. Section 4 of the Act invalidates any law which constitutes an arbitrary interference with privacy as it relates to 'sexual conduct involving only consenting adults acting in private'.

However, the Australian Law Council has argued that there need to be greater legal protections put in place to protect the privacy of Australian citizens. The Council has stated, 'If an individual is harmed by a serious invasion of their privacy - such as someone's private activities being watched or recorded, or private information...being made public - there is currently no tortious right of action... This limits a person's ability to pursue compensation or an injunction.' This means that the Australian Law Council wants Australian citizens to be able to sue if their privacy is violated by the media or others.

In an article published in The Guardian on June 14, 2022, Eleanor Morgan explained from personal experience why it was so important that sexual privacy be respected. Morgan writes, 'Some people find [coming out] relatively straightforward. Others experience layers of inner conflict, fearing discrimination or potential marginalisation from their families or communities.

Being in the public eye doesn't shelter you from this. If we ignore these individual differences, we turn someone's sexuality into a commodity.'

On June 14, 2022, Celebrity Land published an opinion piece defending celebrities' right to privacy regarding their sexual orientation. It stated, 'We are all brought up under different circumstances and the same holds true for how our sexual worldviews are shaped. Despite all the acceptance out there, people may not feel comfortable coming out or need more time to figure things out. More than encouragement, what such people need is our patience and discretion. And this holds true for celebrities too.

Seeing celebrities only as public figures rather than people dehumanises them and allows others to believe that their right to privacy is not important. Like us, they deserve time and space to come out of the closet, because being a celebrity doesn't mean signing away...your rights as a human.'

Legal authorities, gay lobby groups and commentators have argued that sexual privacy protections are particularly important for gay celebrities. On June 14, 2022, Elle Magazine defended Rebel Wilson's right to reveal her sexual orientation only when she chose to. It stated, 'The ownership of a person's sexuality belongs to them, and them alone.' In a conversation with Lawyers Weekly, Professor Paula Gerber of the faculty of law at Monash University emphasised the human impact of 'outing' Rebel Wilson, saying that such 'outings' used to be a quite common occurrence by the media and that 'it is less common today, but there is obviously still work to be done in ensuring that everyone understands that when and how a person chooses to come out is their decision alone. It can be one of the biggest decisions an individual makes, and they should never be pressured into doing it before they are ready.' Professor Gerber further stated, 'We need stronger protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.' The professor suggested that violating someone's privacy based on their sexual orientation should be seen as an act of discrimination.

2. There is still widespread prejudice against homosexuality

Critics claim that widespread anti-gay prejudice still exists and that therefore no celebrity should be outed or compelled to make their sexual orientation public.

Although attitudes toward homosexuality are becoming more positive, there remain large areas in all countries where homosexuals face discrimination and abuse, both physical and verbal. A 2006 survey conducted across Australia made the following findings. Overall, the most homophobic areas were the Moreton area of country Queensland (excluding the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast), Central/South-West Queensland and the Burnie/Western district of Tasmania where 50 percent of those surveyed believed homosexuality is immoral. The least homophobic region was the Inner City of Melbourne (14 per cent), followed by Central Perth (21 per cent) and Central Melbourne (26 per cent). The same survey also found older Australians were considerably more homophobic than young adults. However, those in the 14 to 17 age group, especially boys, were much more inclined to hold antigay views than young and middle-aged adults. Homophobic attitudes were closely related to levels of education - 25 per cent of those with tertiary education held homophobic views compared to 40-50 per cent among those who did not complete high school.

Recent studies have indicated that gay hate groups are increasing in the United States. A report published in 2020 by the Southern Poverty law Center stated, 'Groups that vilify the LGBTQ community, in fact, represented the fastest-growing sector among hate groups in 2019.' The report detailed that the number of anti-LGBTQ hate groups rose by 43 percent, from 49 groups in 2018 to 70 in 2019. There is also a growing movement in the United Stares against education programs providing education about sexual variation and gay rights. The most famous of these anti-LGBTQ+ laws is the piece of Florida legislation banning instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in schools between kindergarten and third grade, the so-called 'don't say gay' law.

In October 2020, a study published by GLSEN, a United States LGBT+ education advocacy group, found that just under 99 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students aged between 13 and 21 reported hearing disparaging comments about their sexuality or gender identity. Almost 97 percent of respondents stated that they had heard the phrase "no homo" at school, while more than 95 percent reported hearing homophobic terms such as 'dyke' and 'faggot'. About 69 percent said they had experienced verbal harassment because of their sexual orientation, while just under 57percent said they had also been called names or threatened because of their gender expression.

On May 17, 2022, (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphopbia, Interphobia, and Transphobia) the U.S. Department of State issued a statement which included, 'Too many LGBTQI+ persons live under the shadow of discrimination, violence, and fear. Global data makes clear that the dehumanization of LGBTQI+ persons is systemic, pervasive, and often violent. Homophobia, biphobia, interphobia, and transphobia are deeply entrenched in societies across the world, including here in the United States. Countless persons are at extreme risk for being themselves.'

Those who defend the right of all gay celebrities to keep their sexual orientation private argue that as public figures they face special dangers from homophobia. They have fair wider social contact and so are at greater risk of attack both on social media and in person. As figures known around the world, they also risk the abuse they may encounter from audiences in less tolerant countries. Magda Szubanski, an Australian actor who came out in 2012, has said of Rebel Wilson, after she revealed her sexual orientation, 'For someone like Rebel, who's an international person, that's a big step to take. I know, for me, once I came out, it was like, "OK, now I'm a publicly gay person, it's going to be a different experience for me going to some countries, potentially."'

3. Being out may damage the careers of some gay celebrities

It has been claimed by some celebrities that coming out or being outed has damaged their career prospects. This claim has been made by some actors who have said that being homosexual has restricted the roles they are offered and limited their appeal to fans. Other celebrities, such as some singers, have claimed that anti-gay prejudice among some sections of their potential fan base has limited their popularity.

Numerous actors have explained that becoming known as gay damaged their careers. This claim has been made by actor Anne Heche. During the 1990s, Heche's film career was developing rapidly. She co-starred in several high-profile movies with some of Hollywood's most recognized actors. After she became involved romantically with Ellen Degeneres, her prospects of becoming a leading lady seemed to decline. According to Heche, people told her that she was not getting jobs because she was gay.

It has been argued that there is limited acceptance of gay actors playing straight roles and that this seriously restricts their career opportunities. Jesse James Keitel, a nonbinary actor who plays a transfeminine nonbinary character on ABC's 'Big Sky' has stated, 'I've only played queer roles in my professional career, and I am looking forward to the day when I can play a role that has nothing to do with my gender or sexuality, or my character's gender or sexuality. I think that's a privilege that many straight and cis actors don't realize is even a thing.' Other actors have similarly claimed that their opportunity to play heterosexual roles was seriously reduced when it became known they were gay. In 2010, English actor Rupert Everett stated that he was 'very lucky at the beginning' of his career, but that after he came out, his opportunities dried up. He said the movie business is 'a very heterosexual business' that's 'run mostly by heterosexual men.' These prejudices also seem to be shared by audiences. In a survey commissioned by Variety, six in 10 adults say they would be less likely to see an action film with a gay leading man or woman, while four in 10 say they'd be more likely to skip an action film with a lead gay character. Writing in 2015, commentator Rebecca Shaw noted the limiting effect that prejudice within the film industry continued to have on gay actors. She stated, 'Doubts about gay actors' ability to play straight characters will persist as long as the perception remains that being queer is abnormal, and that heterosexual actors inherently have more legitimacy and versatility.'

Similarly, it has been suggested that some singers' careers have been damaged by becoming known as gay. This claim has been made several times about American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert. British pop singer Boy George has claimed that anti-gay prejudice in the United States has limited Lambert's career success. George has claimed that Lambert's success would be far greater if he were based in Britain where there is far greater acceptance of homosexuality. A similar claim has been made by Gene Simmons, the bassist and co-lead singer of the American rock group, Kiss. Simmons has stated that there is significantly less acceptance of gay performers in more conservative American states. He has observed, 'He's enormously talented, best talent American Idol has had, but I think he killed his career because now the conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference. You're forcing people to deal with issues they may not be interested in. Life is unfair, and the masses don't all live in L.A. They live in Wisconsin and Nebraska, and you're on crack if you think the same rules apply there.' American country singer Country singer Chely Wright has similarly stated that going public with her sexual orientation harmed her career. Her album sales were reduced by half after she came out and she received death threats. Wright has noted, 'It didn't help my career. If it appears from the outside that its helped my career, it could be because I haven't talked about the negative. You won't hear me b-tching and moaning on my Facebook about the hate mail I've gotten. My life has been threatened. I get nasty letters every day.'

4. Fans and media have no right to know the details of celebrities' personal lives

Psychologists and social commentators claim that many fans' have distorted relationships with celebrities, characterised by a sense of entitlement to information that is not theirs. It is claimed that some fans mistakenly see celebrities as public property. Media outlets trespassing in celebrities' private lives encourage intrusive and obsessive fans.

According to Psychology Today, fans who obsess over celebrities' actions often display a behaviour disorder referred to as celebrity worship syndrome. Despite the term 'worship', there is nothing respectful about many fans' behaviour. At the extreme end of this syndrome, fans can even be a threat to those they follow. The situation is exacerbated by celebrity press and social media whose insensitive, stalking behaviour serves to normalise intrusions into celebrities' lives.

Many celebrities have started to object to intrusive fans and media failing to treat them as human beings. In recent years, for example, celebrities have begun to complain that fans believe they are entitled to take photos of them. In 2016, Justin Bieber made an announcement through an Instagram post that he would no longer co-operate with fan photographs. He stated, 'It has gotten to the point that people won't even say hi to me or recognize me as a human, I feel like a zoo animal, and I wanna be able to keep my sanity.' In November 2017, a similar Twitter post was made by actor Lili Reinhart who is known for portraying Betty Cooper in the teen drama series Riverdale. Reinhart stated, 'This is what's wrong--- you think you're entitled to take a photo of me while I'm alone and eating because I'm on a TV show. So, I asked for it, right? Wrong. I am a human being. I am not Betty Cooper. You aren't entitled to me. At all.' One of the fans responding to Bieber's post stated, 'So you're sayin that you are obsessed with yourself and possibly take pictures of yourself wherever and whenever you go! But you're pissed when people who loves you does the same! Haha...' Such a response treats celebrities as commodities.

Critics of excessive fan and media interest claim that celebrities' families, friends and intimate partners can also suffer. Obsessive fans fail to recognise boundaries between themselves and the celebrities on whom they fixate. This means they are also ready to obsess about the people with whom celebrities have relationships. Recently supermodel Gigi Hadid requested the media and her fans not post photographs of her young daughter. She stated, 'To the paparazzi, press and beloved fan accounts: you know we have never intentionally shared our daughter's face on social media. Our wish is that she can choose how to share herself with the world when she comes of age and that she can live as normal of a childhood as possible, without worrying about a public image that she has not chosen. It would mean the world to us, as we take our daughter to see and explore NYC, and the world, if you would please, please, please blur her face out of the images, if and when she is caught on camera.'

Celebrities' intimate partners can also suffer from excessive fan and media interest. For example, some fans form fantasy attachments to the celebrities they follow and then abuse their real-world partners. When singer Harry Styles was reported to be dating Olivia Wilde, some fans congratulated the couple while others harassed Wilde on her Instagram comment section. Fans claimed Wilde 'stole' Styles from them and should be 'ashamed' for what she did, prompting the actress to restrict her comments and only allow people she follows to comment on her posts.

These same problems exist when fans and the media claim an entitlement to know a celebrity's sexual orientation. In an article published in US Today on April 5, 2019, David Oliver argued that fans and media outlets have no right to demand to know a celebrity's sexual orientation. He stated, 'We shouldn't. It's damaging to the LGBTQ community at large. It ...assumes people have an obligation to share this information with their fans; and sends a message to queer people everywhere that their identity is something to gossip about and not celebrate.'

5. Outing a gay person can harm their psychological health and endanger their lives

Critics of outing and forcing people to out themselves claim that such behaviour can endanger mental health and risk individual's lives. They argue that LGBT people around the world have an increased incidence of depression and other mental health disorders and that outing generally only increases the stress that gay people face. In a context where being outed still triggers fear and anxiety it is not helpful to gay people to see celebrities being outed or forced to out themselves.

Numerous studies have indicated that gay people are at increased risk of mental ill health and suicide. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that gay and bisexual men have higher chances of having major depression, bipolar disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder. Similar findings have been made in Britain where more than half of LGBT people (52 percent) said they have experienced depression in the last year. One in eight LGBT people aged 18-24 (13 percent) said they have attempted to take their own life in the last year.

A report published by Reuters on October 8, 2018, detailed recent Italian research that had found an increased risk of suicide among LGBT adolescents. Data pooled from 35 earlier studies shows that sexual minority youth were more than three times as likely to attempt suicide as heterosexual peers. The 35 studies in the analysis involved a total of nearly 2.4 million heterosexual youth and 113,468 sexual minority youth, ages 12 to 20, from 10 countries. The study's lead author, Dr. Ester di Giacomo, a researcher in psychiatry at the University of Milano-Bicocca, in Italy, has stated, 'Adolescents facing "non-conventional" sexual identity are at risk of higher self-threatening behaviors, independent of bullying and other risk factors. I think that a difficulty in self-acceptance and social stigmatization might be keys for understanding such elevation in the risk of self-threatening behaviors.' The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organisation founded in 1998. It focuses on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project states, 'LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather are placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society. Most profoundly, they experience rejection or lack of support from their family members much more often than their heterosexual peers.' Such vulnerability triggered by a lack of family support makes being outed particularly problematic for gay young people.

Research has indicated that being 'out' to people who react negatively can add to the stress experienced by gay and bisexual adults and adolescents and can lead to discrimination and poorer mental health.

An article published by Psych Central on June 22, 2021, stated, 'In recent years, there's been criticism of the very concept and paradigm of "coming out" as unfairly burdening LGBTQIA+ people rather than empowering them. After all, do straight or cisgender people have to come out and announce their identities?'

Research has also indicated that although the age at which gay people are choosing to disclose their sexual orientation is falling, most people take nearly a decade before they do so and then only to select people. Francis Kuehnle, writing for Psych Central, has noted, 'A key 2013 survey from the Pew Research Center found that folks reported feeling like they might be lesbian, gay, or bisexual around age 12, and they told a close friend or family member around age 20.' Such delay indicates the difficulty of making the decision to come out and shows this decision should not be forced or taken by other people.

Rebel Wilson's forced outing has been condemned for the message it sends to all gay people and for the additional harm it could do them. Elizabeth Walker, writing for Mamamia on June 15, 2022, stated, 'What happened to Rebel Wilson, what happens to so many members of the LGBT community, is a form of abuse.'