A few days ago, a family member came out. She’s an educated professional
in her thirties, surrounded by liberal friends and family. She has never backed
down from an opinion in her life, yet coming out was a decision she wrestled with
for over a year. That’s a long time to live with fear.
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| "Love in a Heart" source |
On paper it should have been a simple decision, but you don’t
know.
It doesn’t matter how many GLBT friends we have in our lives, or GLBT
causes we openly support because, until it comes down to it, you don’t know.
You don't know how people will react.
The coming out horror stories don’t just come from the
obvious places. Sometimes it’s the otherwise-liberal, otherwise-loving families
that will slam the door in your face. And it must be terrifying to contemplate
risking all of that for the sake of those two little words that are burning to
get out: I’m gay.
To everyone, everywhere, who has been courageous enough to
come out: I am so in awe of you. It’s a crazy-brave thing to do because even
though the truth might set you free, it might also drag you through hell first.
