Carren Strock

I just attended a Professional Women’s mixer. This event was sponsored by OP Lynx, a division of Out Professionals, and the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan. The upper west side rooftop was a perfect setting and even though the weather was cool and unlike May weather, the energy was so high that I felt warm all evening. What surprised, and pleased me, were the number of young, confident women attending.

Years ago, many women, even if they felt they were ‘different’, didn’t know why. It was not uncommon for a women to grow up never hearing the term lesbian. It’s hard to believe now but between the years of 1961 and 1970, only one gay character was documented on a television show. From 1991 to 2000 the number of documented gay characters rose to 306. Although some women still go through years of questioning before they realize who they are, the media has played a large part in showing women that they’re okay. And now, with country music star Chely Wright coming out, her Bible Belt audience (that a lot of people in our community often write off) will be enlightened too. A lot of her fans will realize they actually know a gay person.

The country-music singer, Chely Wright came out this week. Living for her music, and afraid of losing everything in a conservative industry, she felt trapped as a closeted lesbian. “There had never, ever been a country music artist who had acknowledged his or her homosexuality,” she said. “I wasn’t going to be the first.” So desperate had she become that on the Today show she confessed, “I was living a secret life … I gave up hope, and I was ready to take my own life.” Now Wright says, “Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out.”

Unfortunately Chely is far from alone. One woman I know suffered from Chrones Disease. The doctors had given up hope for her. Believing herself near the end, she finally came out to her family. Miraculously, according to the doctors, all signs of her disease disappeared. Another woman had been constipated for her entire life – even before she realized she was a lesbian. She says from the time she came out, she never again had a problem with constipation. And these are not isolated cases.

Even in this day and age, at risk to health, or life itself, fear of rejection is keeping many people closeted. I’m not in favor of outing anyone, after all none of us walks in another’s shoes, but if we show our acceptance by continuing to support musicians like Chely, and others who have come out, and if we can be kinder to each other, the world will be a better place.