Nat'l Coming Out Day for Aussie Pols?

An Australian gay activist has proposed that the country institute a National Coming Out Day so that closeted politicians can come out without fear of retribution, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Activist Gary Burns's proposal comes after transport minister David Campbell was forced to resign last week after a TV network video taped him leaving a gay sex club in his taxpayer-paid car.

Burns said he disagreed with the network's decision to run the story on Campbell but that closeted politicians should know that they risk being exposed. "There are risks involved. You can't run around having sex in venues as a prominent minister and not expect to be recognized," he said.

"We should have a National Coming Out Day for any politicians in the closet," he added. "They can all come out together and hold hands in Martin Place."

Not surprisingly, Campbell declined comment on Burns's proposal. A spokesman, however, said that Campbell and his family have been inundated with support and that Campbell "plans to be at Parliament when it next sits."

See a TV news report on Campbell's resignation below.