the closet is made of glass

An extension of the metaphor in the closet, compare glass closet.

the closet is made of glass

1. (LGBT, often humorous) Used in reference to someone whose sexual orientation or gender identity is widely known despite not being acknowledged.
   • 2022 November 1, K-Ci Williams, “Kit Connor, Star of “Heartstopper,” Came Out as Bi. He Shouldn’t Have Had To”, in Teen Vogue‎:

     I spent my high school years in the closet. I remember a friend messaged me saying, “Just come out already, it’s fine, just be who you are.” He didn’t know I was queer, but I guess the closet was made of glass. In his mind, he was being supportive; in mine, he was increasing the turbulence I already felt about my sexuality and identity as a teen.

   • 2023, William Lee Adams, Wild Dances: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision, New York, NY: Astra House, →ISBN, page 117:

     “Little boy—you are gay.” / “No, I'm not,” I say. / “Oh, you really are,” she says. She's insistent, but not mean. My closet is made of glass and she can see right through it.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:the closet is made of glass.