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.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
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.
Coming out involves varying degrees of difficulty that are affected by class, race, religion, and geography.
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.
Coming out to gays is a way of affirming sanity and self-worth.
I learned that coming out was crucial to self-esteem.
The whole principle of coming out is that everyone knows someone who's gay. The minute someone comes out, no one can be a bigot, because someone they love is gay.
Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That's what happened to me.
Coming out, all the way out, is offered more and more as the political solution to our oppression.
Coming out is the most political thing you can do.
I'm not even sure I want to use the term 'coming out.'