E, I think that was J.C. (male) handing over to his wife J. (female)... in the same post...
As far as outing the dead goes... well, I get annoyed by the vocal-but-tedious lobby (over here) which keeps claiming that such-and-such a talented historical figure was gay - both without obvious proof or reason, and as though the gayness were the cause of his (rarely her) talent. If the facts could be separated from this tabloid-style PR, then I'd see less problems.
My main demur comes when descendants fear or resent the stigma they perceive from the outing of their ancestor: should their feelings be respected here, or should the truth be brought out regardless? The issue, of course, is mixed in whether their sexuality has any being on what made their life important or interesting to others - or is included simply for prurience or extra publicity. And, of course, if homosexuality were accepted as a variety of normal, then it would probably not be concealed in the first place, would not cause publicity or shame, and no one would bother outing the dead in the first place...
Looking at it from a personal view, of course, my sexuality is mine and mine alone. I'd certainly never give any biographer (should I ever have one <g>) any information, assistance or details about anything I regard as my private life, if anything I'd take pains to stop any such nosiness. It's none of anyone else's business what I do, with whom, or how. Only as it affects other actions in my life is it even relevant.
And I'm generally uninterested in personal biography, per se, for the above reasons... I guess that shows... |
