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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.

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 didn't have a coming out moment.

'Come out' is so funny to me because I've never been in.

Now the fact that people are saying, 'Oh my God, he's finally come out' - I was never in.

I learned that coming out was crucial to self-esteem.

Coming out is the most political thing you can do.

If it's going to come out eventually, better have it come out immediately.

Coming out involves varying degrees of difficulty that are affected by class, race, religion, and geography.

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.