Aug 19th, 2004
Pioneer Press / Laura Billings
Today’s edition of the Pioneer Press features a column by Laura Billings on Governor McGreevey’s recent disclosure and resignation. She interviewed me for the article and relies heavily on my take on the situation.
“Author says focus on out-of-closet governor both good, bad”
By Laura Billings
Excerpt:
Though some activists see McGreevey’s coming out as a victory for gay families, Garner is less optimistic.
“Less than 1 percent of the elected officials in this country are openly gay. What examples do young people coming out now have for a future in leadership and politics or as out athletes? Our country is even divided about whether openly gay people can be teachers or Boy Scout leaders,” says Garner.
“Our country has to get to the point where you don’t have to choose between being true to yourself and being accepted as an American. I think we still have a long way to go.”
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Laura Billings can be reached at lbillings@pioneerpress.com
The topic of coming out of marriages is featured in Chapter Two (”Coming Out”) and Chapter Three (”Family Change”) in the book, Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is by Abigail Garner (HarperCollins 2004).