Additionally DiverDave, there's the fact that people *ask* you about your private life. When Manilow became a big star, naturally reporters interviewing him would ask if he was married or had a girlfriend. Heck, it's one of the most basic things people expect to be able to know about each other! I know at work, when there's a new employee, people ask; are they married? Or if you have a friends and never talk about dating anyone, they're going to wonder about you, and likely ask. So what do you do in that situation? You might have some empathy. Imagine dating someone but having to keep it a secret, never being able to say something as simple as "My boyfriend and I saw the new Star Wars movie last weekend."