0The Semantics of Coming OutIf former RNC chair Ken Mehlman's being gay was an "open secret" in Washington, then why did it take so long to come out? Howard Selekman on his own story of spending his life in the closet—and why.Updated Jul. 14, 2017 12:42PM EDT / Published Mar. 30, 2010 10:20AM EDT Jamie Rector / Getty Images,JAMIE RECTOR Ken MehlmanJamie Rector / Getty Images Ricky MartinChris Pizzello / AP Photo Ellen DeGeneresDan Steinberg / AP Photo Clay AikenJohn Spellman / Retna Ltd. Sean HayesKevin Winter / Getty Images Jim McGreeveyStephen Lovekin / Getty Images Martina NavratilovaJeff Daly / Retna Ltd. Rosie O'DonnellPhil McCarten / Reuters John AmaechiAlberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Rupert EverettRune Hellestad / Landov Sgt. Leonard Matlovich Melissa Etheridge Chris Ashford / Camera Press / Retna Ltd. Gareth ThomasNewscom Elton JohnWalter McBride / Retna Ltd.
Ken MehlmanJamie Rector / Getty Images Ricky MartinChris Pizzello / AP Photo Ellen DeGeneresDan Steinberg / AP Photo Clay AikenJohn Spellman / Retna Ltd. Sean HayesKevin Winter / Getty Images Jim McGreeveyStephen Lovekin / Getty Images Martina NavratilovaJeff Daly / Retna Ltd. Rosie O'DonnellPhil McCarten / Reuters John AmaechiAlberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Rupert EverettRune Hellestad / Landov Sgt. Leonard Matlovich Melissa Etheridge Chris Ashford / Camera Press / Retna Ltd. Gareth ThomasNewscom Elton JohnWalter McBride / Retna Ltd.