An Almost Breakthrough for Gay Americans

Just last night I was reading an online article (published last year) on the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City.  Up until then, merely being gay was considered a crime.  Police would routinely harass those thought to be homosexual and frequently raid suspected gay clubs on fabricated grounds, often using drug laws as a front.

The famous riot occurred, initiating a gradual cultural shift in the way gay people are viewed.  Fed up with being constantly demonized, they demanded equal (not "special" as conservatives often like to claim) rights in housing, education and employment enjoyed by heterosexual Americans.  The subsequent decades saw slow but steady progress in all these areas.  Combined with growing scientific evidence that homosexuality is genetically determined, gay citizens have achieved equality in nearly all sectors of American life       

However, I say nearly all.  Over this past weekend word leaked out from the White House that President Obama plans to nominate Solicitor General Elana Kagan to fill the seat on the Supreme Court being vacated by retiring justice John Paul Stevens. Speculation soon began to circulate about Kagan's sexuality.  Several sources indicate that Kagan is gay and is in a committed relationship with her partner. Kagan herself has been silent on the matter,  nor is her orientation being acknowledged by the White House.

Which goes to the problem.  If Ms. Kagan is happy and fulfilled in her personal life, why is she still forced to hide this fact?  Why are there whispers and speculation?  If Kagan "came out of the closet"
and became the first openly gay Supreme Court appointee would this hurt her chances of confirmation?

Glass ceilings give way only after enduring numerous cracks.  Are we finally on the verge of a long overdue cave in?