Noun
closet case (plural closet cases)
- (slang) A person who conceals or denies their sexuality or gender identity.
- Synonym: closet queen
1979 December 15, Rick Hillegas, “Workers World Party (response)”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 21, page 5:Even self-styled liberated gay and straight people sometimes call outspoken bigots "closet cases".
1986 February 25, Ray EMD & S Admin 223-5027, “More on Stereotypes/gays in Film”, in net.motss (Usenet):Now this one portrays the drill instructor as an extreme/suicidal if he ever admits it closet case.
- 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)...
Translations
gay person who pretends to be heterosexual