Tory MP comes out.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell MP has taken what is being lauded as the brave step to come out and admit that he is openly gay.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35301898

Well done him.

But why is it still an issue and why should people in his position (or anybody for that matter) be forced to announce their sexuality in the media?

It's 2016, not 1916, so why is it still an issue for so many people?

Good luck to him, I say, but it's just a shame that we haven't already sufficiently evolved as a society to the point where something like this isn't considered news any more.

Personally, I'd be more embarrassed about telling my family and friends that I was a Tory.

Exactly!

I agree that in this day and age you shouldn't be forced to announce your sexuality in the media but i think in this instance, it was done not because he was forced to, but because it lifted a bit of a weight off his shoulders. Having a big part of your life being kept secret must be hard so if it makes the person happier to come out in public then that's what they have to do.

Bwfc1958 wrote:I agree that in this day and age you shouldn't be forced to announce your sexuality in the media but i think in this instance, it was done not because he was forced to, but because it lifted a bit of a weight off his shoulders. Having a big part of your life being kept secret must be hard so if it makes the person happier to come out in public then that's what they have to do.

But that's my point, mate - why should it matter if he's gay or not?

If he can do his job well enough and he's not a wanker, why should it matter if he's gay or straight?

Why are gay people still under such pressure in 2016 to keep quiet about their sexuality?

It's barmy.

I understand that and I agree but society, whether we like it or not, isn't there yet. 

I wouldn't class anyone on here as being homophobic but there is a lot of references to gay sex in a piss taking way. Words like bum bandit etc are quite common and although they're not said in a malicious way, it's things like that that show why there is still a stigma attached to being gay, and why people will be reluctant to openly admit to being gay themselves. 

(That stuff doesn't offend me in the slightest by the way, I'm guilty of saying things like that myself on occasion. Just making a point that's all.)

We're ahead of most countries in Britain when it comes to issues like this, we've definitely come a long way in the last generation or so. 

There are still bigots out there, but it's still moving in the right direction it will just take time.

Breadman wrote:

But that's my point, mate - why should it matter if he's gay or not?

If he can do his job well enough and he's not a wanker, why should it matter if he's gay or straight?

Why are gay people still under such pressure in 2016 to keep quiet about their sexuality?

It's barmy.

This sounds like groundwork for a big announcement.

I'm trying to help you here, don't take the piss.

At least professional sport has moved on into the 21st century.

Faff and Morne are obviously deeply in love and aren't afraid to show it in public judging from this photo I've just taken of my tellybox.

I think they're just about to invite Ben back to their hotel room. Look at their eyes:

I'm getting a bit worried too. This is my reaction to Jeremy Corbyn winning the leadership battle.

Not bad but needs more pandas.

Go on Bread, you'll feel better when you do it.

scottjames30 wrote:Go on Bread, you'll feel better when you do it.

Me and scott did