Of all the agreeable reorganisations of old prejudices which followed the fight for LGBT+ equality, the disappearance of “outing” famous people has been one of the most pleasing. Yet here we are, in 2022 — halfway through Pride month, no less — with the strange case of Rebel Wilson and The Sydney Morning Herald. When gay gossip columnist — and sorry, his sexuality is pertinent here, because who sells out their own for 20 pieces of silver these days? — Andrew Hornery gave the brilliant comic actress 27 hours to respond to a story he planned to run, with his editor’s backing, “outing” her new girlfriend, Wilson gazumped the reporter, took to social media and told the story her own way. She became a hero for our times, cementing her comedy chops with unexpected bravery. She outed the very practice of outing, smothering it in righteous shame.
When I was a kid, outings, or variations on the theme, were a regular occurrence while flicking through the paper at the breakfast table. Some previously unremarkable Liberal MP had been caught cruising Clapham Common. What exactly was Justin Fashanu up to off the football pitch? Kenny Everett had started looking “suspiciously thin”. Pass the cornflakes.
