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psych16m said:
simple but hard question: should i come out of the closet?

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I'm glad you aren't feeling pressured to come out before you are truly ready.

I'd like to just add to this discussion a few questions....

Why is sexual attraction and identity consider similar issues? Why is it so important to tell? Why are others' perceptions so important? Is anyone's business to know who you'd prefer to be intimate with or the secrets of your heart? Is there really a closet? If there is a closet, why are your friends and family clueless to your inner heart? Why don't they know you? Have they not listened? Have they not heard? You think you are that good at hiding your secret? What if they all already know?

Don't answer any of the questions. I'm just throwing these questions out there to emphasis this point: I don't think sexual attraction has anything to do with IDENTITY. Gay pride has it's purpose in educating the ignorant but I think gay pride goes overboard when we define ourselves as merely sexual beings. "I am gay" is a useful statement but you are much more than that. When you decide to disclose to your parents, remind them that you are more than a label of "gay son." (((((((Huggs))))))) Peace!