The Closet

The practice of concealing one's LGBTQ+ identity in order to avoid discrimination, harassment, or violence

The closet is often used to describe the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals who are not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, whether it be to friends, family, or society as a whole. "Coming out of the closet" is the process of revealing one's LGBTQ+ identity to others, and is often seen as a significant moment in an individual's life.

The closet can also refer to the societal pressure to conform to heteronormative standards, and the fear and shame associated with being "different" or deviating from the norm. This pressure can lead individuals to deny or repress their true identities, which can have negative effects on their mental health and well-being. Queer theorists argue that the closet is a product of societal norms and expectations, and that true liberation and acceptance can only be achieved by challenging and dismantling these norms.

"The closet is a cage of fear and shame that oppresses people for being who they are, and it is a threat to freedom and equality for all."
- Harvey Milk

In "Epistemology of the Closet", Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick argues that modern Western culture has developed a binary system of sexuality, where heterosexuality is seen as the norm and everything else is considered deviant or abnormal. This binary system creates a "closet" where people who don't conform to the norm must hide their true selves in order to be accepted by society. Sedgwick explores how this closet operates, and how it affects not only those who are marginalised but also those who conform to the norm. She argues that the closet is not just a physical space, but also a way of thinking and talking about sexuality that is deeply ingrained in our culture.Â