I'm openly heterosexual.

I thought the OP wasn’t referring to the person actually being openly gay, but was suggesting that being described using those words in the media was a form of homophobia. That’s how I read the post.

Even if you don’t have homophobic friends and aren’t homophobic yourself, surely you can see homophobia going on the wider world? None of my friends use food banks either but I’m very aware that poverty exists.

I think when you aren't homophobic it's harder to 'see' homophobia at the moment. I know many 'openly' gay people, and know no one who feels the need to hide it.

If I had homophobic friends I'd probably be more aware of the need, but I don't. The people I see struggling are those who are challenging marriage law in the church- they are out, obviously.

Agree with above posters. Heterosexuality is out in the open all the time. I am openly straight every time i mention my husband or hold his hand in public. It’s not the same at all.
My sister is gay and in a loving long term relationship. They do not hold hands, kiss etc in public because of the reactions they have had in the past. They also have to consider some holiday destinations as it would be illegal for them to share a room, or be found to be gay. They are lucky in most things as they haven’t had too much abuse in the past, but they have experienced some and I can fully understand someone in the public eye not wanting to come out as gay. Homophobia is still a thing, and from my understanding it is much worse for men. My sister has a male gay friend who was beaten terribly a few years ago for walking with his boyfriend

Theres still massive homophobia outside your bubble. Thats why people talk about it. Thats why there is gay pride.

I think it's important. Even in the arts being gay/lesbian can be a barrier to which opportunities you are considered for. There are very few young/starting out actors I can think of that are out as anything other than straight.

You are openly heterosexual if you have ever talked about your spouse/partner to people you meet, introduced them to your family and friends, have a picture of them at work, or had a wedding or engagement party. In those cases, you are openly stating your sexuality. Many gay people still don’t feel able to do that because there remains quite a bit of homophobia and discrimination.

The whole ‘why are they making a big deal of it, you don’t see me coming out as straight’ is so disingenuous. You are assumed to be straight unless you openly correct people. If you do correct them, you don’t know how they will act towards you. And every time you or any other straight woman chat to your hairdresser about your husband, you are indeed confirming that you are heterosexual.

I think the @toffeebutterpopcorn

But then I hear what @NiceGerbil is saying that actually it is - statistically speaking - unusual and isn’t necessarily as easy as it should be to be ‘openly gay’.

I think it’s probably very context specific though in terms of how it comes across.

Heterosexual people in the UK disclose their sexuality all the time. It's normal. No one notices.

This thread- is very odd.

And what does it have to do with feminism?

Homosexuality is still illegal in many countries.

Homophobia is still common.

In the UK many people in stricter religious groups (of many flavours) cannot be 'out'.

Many people in same sex partnerships refrain from the norms of straight couples -holding hands, peck on the lips, walking with arms around each other.

There are no out gay men in major football teams and I think the only one who has ever come out was Justin fashanu. And that was years ago.

You're naive OP. It's assumed people are straight- that's the norm. There's no need to come out.

What is it that bothers you so much about this? I don't understand.

The vast majority of entertainment it's all pretty antiquated esp from Hollywood. Male multifaceted lead. Female 'love interest' who is often much younger than the man. It seems that in that area- big ticket Hollywood- in general the stars hide their sexuality.

And we consume a lot of USA media.

It's not of interest to you, fine. Visible gay men and lesbians are still important though. Why get annoyed?

I get it OP. If you just described someone as gay or otherwise you’d assume the openness because it’d otherwise be Tyne described as a hidden matter. It’s so sad that anyone suffered or suffers such that their sexual orientation is a matter for discussion beyond- I don’t know- but maybe which dating site they’d want to use

There is another thread which highlights the fact there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top male leagues in the UK. I don't believe there are none so it's not a done deal at all.

Who described them as "openly gay"? Was it themselves?

I suppose it’s the trend these days to announce your sexuality (or ID).

Rather boring though - and in the arts for goodness sake! When I was a child being ‘musical’ was a euphemism for being gay.