In some circles being a closet Republican is a far greater sin and source of shame than being a closet gay.
We live in a small Southern town. I just found it to be very amusing that he did not mind if everyone knew that he was gay, but heaven forbid should anyone find out that he supports G. Bush!
I have some liberal friends who would be more horrified if their child turned out to be conservative than if the child turned out to be gay. Strangely, life for the child, by their own admission, would be easier in one case than the other. But that doesn't seem to matter.