In one of Magda Szubanski鈥檚 countless interviews last week (following her emotional coming-out on television) she offered a pertinent reminder of the expectation (in the minds of queers and non-queers alike) that 鈥渋n this day and age鈥� people should declare their hand and come out of the closet.
Although to most Star Observer readers Szubanski鈥檚 revelations were not terribly jaw-dropping 鈥� she freely admits she has been openly 鈥済ay-gay-gay-gay-gay鈥� for years and a regular at queer events like Midsumma Carnival 鈥� sometimes it鈥檚 easy to forget that although Australia has come a long way, coming out (for most people) is still not undertaken lightly.
I recall some office banter a few years ago in which Szubanski鈥檚 sexuality was raised, and specifically, why she had chosen not to go public with it. There were varying opinions, from sympathetic understanding to complete displeasure that she was 鈥榟iding who she really was鈥�.
But in her interview with Fran Kelly on Radio National Breakfast last week, Szubanski reminded us of something quite important. At the end of the day, each person鈥檚 struggles (or not) with their sexuality are their own.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there should be pressure on people, you don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 going on in people鈥檚 lives,鈥� she said.
鈥淚鈥檓 in a fortunate position because I鈥檓 a character actor, but … if you were playing a straight romantic lead, it would be a very difficult call to make.
鈥淭here are all kinds of implications … people don鈥檛 stay in the closet for no good reason, you just don鈥檛. You stay in the closet because you perceive there are real risks and wanting to do the job you love or wanting to look after the people you love or have your privacy.鈥�
As research has shown time and time again, safe spaces need to be created for people to feel they can be themselves, rather than expecting individuals to come out to help change attitudes.
I鈥檓 glad Magda felt secure enough to come out.
It is to be hoped she has put another imprint on the trail blazed by all those before her, making it that little bit easier for those behind.
