closet case

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closet case (plural closet cases)

1. (slang) A gay person who pretends to be heterosexual.

   Synonym: closet queen

   • 1986, net.motss‎ (Usenet):

     Now this one portrays the drill instructor as an extreme/suicidal if he ever admits it closet case.

2. A person who is shunned, ignored, or considered to be an embarrassment.
   • 1956 September 24, Frank Scherschel, Gary Villet, “Fraternity Rushing”, in LIFE Magazine‎, page 144:

     Closet case at Delta Upsilon is shunted to the basement....

   • 1964, Paul H. Babbitt, “APPRAISAL OF PARENTAL ATTITUDES”, in Journal of Rehabilitation‎, volume 30, number 1, pages 20–21:

     Under-expectation on the part of the parent... can range from a complete refusal by the father to accept the fact that the child does exist (a closet case)...