Why Come Out
More often than not, when people choose to come out of a closet it's because they’re looking for something. This might be...
Self-esteem. They want to express themselves openly, to tell those hot stories that drip with their uniqueness, and to dress as fiercely and fabulously as they wish. They want to feel connected to the faces they see in their own mirrors, and to move in the world in a way that reflects their identities. They want to honor themselves and feel whole.
Community. They want a pile of excited friends to wander with at parades and street fairs. They want smart, experienced pals to call for advice. They want to surround themselves with people who need no explanation from them about who they are.
Respect. They’re ready to explain to their best friend that their collection of ropes and riding crops is actually NOT for working on a ranch, and by the way, that’s not really where they’ve been going away to every summer, either. They want to be honest with the people they care about. They’re done with lying.
Passion. They realize it’s a lot easier to show up to a gay bar if they’re comfortable with people thinking they might be gay. They want to open their lives up to pursue their desires, to find new partners, and to revel in the joy of being free.
Solidarity. They want to support their communities by showing up to marches, festivals, forums, conferences, parties, and parades. They want to show everyone who’s still in a closet that they’re not alone, and to show the rest of the world, “There are many of us, and our lifestyles are valid and valuable.”
Coming out is one of many ways to live with integrity and to find love. Sometimes it’s just the path that makes sense.
Self-esteem. They want to express themselves openly, to tell those hot stories that drip with their uniqueness, and to dress as fiercely and fabulously as they wish. They want to feel connected to the faces they see in their own mirrors, and to move in the world in a way that reflects their identities. They want to honor themselves and feel whole.
Community. They want a pile of excited friends to wander with at parades and street fairs. They want smart, experienced pals to call for advice. They want to surround themselves with people who need no explanation from them about who they are.
Respect. They’re ready to explain to their best friend that their collection of ropes and riding crops is actually NOT for working on a ranch, and by the way, that’s not really where they’ve been going away to every summer, either. They want to be honest with the people they care about. They’re done with lying.
Passion. They realize it’s a lot easier to show up to a gay bar if they’re comfortable with people thinking they might be gay. They want to open their lives up to pursue their desires, to find new partners, and to revel in the joy of being free.
Solidarity. They want to support their communities by showing up to marches, festivals, forums, conferences, parties, and parades. They want to show everyone who’s still in a closet that they’re not alone, and to show the rest of the world, “There are many of us, and our lifestyles are valid and valuable.”
Coming out is one of many ways to live with integrity and to find love. Sometimes it’s just the path that makes sense.
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