the economics of "outing"

Robert A. George over at Ragged Thots, notes that critics of Senator Rick Santorum have outed his communications director, Robert Traynham. I've never understood what leftists think this is going to accomplish. Won't this just discourage gay conservatives from associating with "anti-gay" conservatives? Isn't the latter group the ones who most need to meet and understand that gays are just like the rest of us? On the other hand, if the purpose of outing is to make leftist gays feel self-righteous, then maybe it's mission accomplished after all.