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Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I've ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn't even realized I was carrying.

Back in the day, coming out was something very personal. You began by acknowledging the truth, first to yourself, then to close family and friends. Those of us more in the public spotlight, though, also had to 'come out' to the press.

I was a kid who didn't have a lot of self-esteem.

Self esteem is the reputation we acquire with ourselves.

I had self-esteem issues into my early 20s.

Self-esteem comes quietly, like the truth.

I've suffered from low self-esteem.

Coming out is a means of redefining oneself, of claiming membership in a lifestyle and a social order with distinct values. Chief among these values is honesty.

Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That's what happened to me.

I had low self-esteem.