the closet is made of glass
English edit
Etymology edit
An extension of the metaphor in the closet, compare glass closet.
Phrase edit
- (LGBT, often humorous) Used in reference to someone whose sexual orientation or gender identity is widely known despite not being acknowledged.
- 2022 November 1, K-Ci Williams, “Kit Connor, Star of “Heartstopper,” Came Out as Bi. He Shouldn’t Have Had To”, in Teen Vogue[1]:
- I spent my high school years in the closet. I remember a friend messaged me saying, “Just come out already, it’s fine, just be who you are.” He didn’t know I was queer, but I guess the closet was made of glass. In his mind, he was being supportive; in mine, he was increasing the turbulence I already felt about my sexuality and identity as a teen.
- 2023, William Lee Adams, Wild Dances: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision, New York, NY: Astra House, →ISBN, page 117:
- “Little boy—you are gay.” / “No, I'm not,” I say. / “Oh, you really are,” she says. She's insistent, but not mean. My closet is made of glass and she can see right through it.
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:the closet is made of glass.