AFF Case of THBT the LGBT movement should out famous gay celebrities Context: Gays are acknowledged,

but there are varying levels of acceptance for them. They are not fully treated as equals: still no right to marry, etc. The gay rights movement now has, in some societies, already achieved basic anti-discrimination discrimination legislation. They have also ensured that violence against homosexuals is condemned across the world. However, there are still cultural and social barriers to achieving full equality with heterosexuals. We think they ought to have two strategic goals which they can achieve by outing gay celebrities: The first is gain acceptance and recognition for homosexuals in the public sphere, especially to transform particularly homophobic industries and occupations by normalizing the idea that homosexuals can excel in these fields. The second is to lower barriers to outing such that it becomes easier for other homosexuals to come out and be comfortable revealing their sexuality in public. We think that is the gay community gets information about consistent homosexual behavior or activities of celebrities; they should disseminate the information to the public. We do not necessarily endorse revealing names of sexual partners or former lovers or displaying photos or discussing graphic details and there are laws against displaying lewd images, but we support broadly outing them. In my speech today, I will talk to you about two things: first, about why celebrities have no absolute right to privacy and how the refusal of gay celebrities to come out directly hurts the movement, and second, that a strategy of outing gay celebrities achieves greater normalization of homosexuality, which leads to more social acceptance. My third speaker will talk about how it lowers the barriers for homosexuals coming out in the future. Let me now dispel the myth that celebrities have an absolute right to privacy. We believe that celebrities sell off their right to privacy when they put themselves in the public eye. When in the public eye, you accept certain level of scrutiny - in fact, celebrities court it. They put their personal image out to endorse products when people buy products, they are buying the celeb and everything they stand for. Celebrities explicitly and deliberately distinguish themselves from each other by selling their own personal brand. We see this in the case of movie and TV stars, and especially politicians. Some of them, for example, style themselves as pro-family, or pro-choice. Others style themselves as conservative, etc. Therefore, people have a right to know everything about

celebrities and this overrides privacy. Furthermore, by not coming out, gays are furthering the perception and buying into the notion that there is something wrong with homosexuality. They are complicit in the oppression of homosexuals. It is legitimate to undermine their rights when this is furthering the harm to the whole social group. Conversely, the benefits accrue to the whole class of individuals and these benefits, in the long run, may in fact benefit the specific individual. Let me now talk to you about the strategy of outing homosexuals helps gain acceptance and recognition for them in the public sphere, and how this is particularly valuable in the context of outing homosexuals in homophobic institutions. What makes homosexuals different from all other minorities is that unlike blacks or women, they are not visible. For example, when blacks achieve high office, people can see it, and stereotypes are broken. However, if closeted gays do it, people dont realize it, unless they come out or are outed. Increasing the number of gays increases normalization/acceptance, this is fairly straightforward. We need to show that gays are normal and a part of society; can only do this by increasing the number of gays that are in society. As people see more and more, will realize that they are actually normal. In particular, we need to out gay celebs from different backgrounds so that there are high profile examples from different walks of life. Right now, by and large, they are actors and musicians, which is still seen as a particularly small segment. To really get change, need to show that they are in fact from diverse backgrounds, so we want sport stars, politicians and other celebrities to come out. Only then will perceptions change.