Coming out, being out, and acts of virtue

We examine three philosophical models for (gay) self-identity: utilitarianism (exemplified by Eichberg), deontologism (Mohr), and individualism (Spinoza). The first two, we argue, overlook the personal and multi-faceted nature of social relations. We argue that the framework of methodological individualism is better suited to deal with the issues of self-identity as they affect questions of whether, when, and how to come out, and being out. This framework suggests that there is no moral principle which could apply universally in regard to being out and that there are common situations in which it is not morally appropriate to come out or to be out at all.