Dear Gale Gay was an advice column featured in the Empty Closet. This column is one of the earliest, published in January 1971. (Read all articles from the January 1971 Empty Closet.)
Dear Gale:
Should I tell my close friends that I am gay? I can't really be close to them because I feel I'm not really being honest about myself but I'm afraid what they'll say.
Upset
Dear Upset:
Those "friends" who are truly your friends will try to understand and accept you as what you really are. This is what true friendship is all about. If they reject you they probably weren't really friends in the first place.
Dear Gale:
I'm afraid my boss at work has found out I'm gay. What should I say if he confronts me with this sometime?
Worrified Worker
Dear Worker:
Ideally all gay people should "come out" and be proud of what they believe and do. If you can, I would be honest and tell him the truth knowing you might have to accept the consequences. If you can't accept this or are still growing up to the "coming out" stage don't blame yourself yet. Courage must be nurtured and made to take hold within you. Just remember that we must all come out of our closets in order for society to recognize us as human beings and treat us so.