Is 'coming out' a personal development issue, a moral issue or a politically motivated issue? Why 'come out'?

Answer 1

Good question...People always assume I'm straight, and if they say, "Why did you never tell me you were gay?" I respond, "Well, you never asked!" It's never been an issue for me, so I sometimes forget that it is an issue for others.

Answer 2

Coming out for most people is a personal development issue. But many times it gets contorted into being a political issue, which I strongly believe it is not.

Answer 3

It should never be a MORAL issue since everyone should love who they are and accept themselves for who they are. Unfortunately, we don't live in such a world.

So, unfortunately for many its a VERY painful moral issue that can cripple them emotionally almost to the point of suicide. I know, I was there at one time. I'm know where close to there now and I'm totally happy with my life, but what a hard journey.

It was also a personal development issue that caused alot of pain. Growing to love myself for who I was DESPITE what society said about it. Accepting myself, and learning that my family still loved me too.

Lastly, THE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT, the more the politicians will HAVE TO TAKE NOTICE.

Answer 4

I have a 65 year old friend, he is gay and has had two 20 year relationships, lived his life as he wanted to, never made an excuse and never came out. He simply does not consider his choice of a partner any-ones business....So for some it is a non issue.
For me it was a declaration to myself really, it allowed me to get over myself and the acceptance issues I carried from my childhood.
I have known people who carry a rainbow flag everywhere they go as a defiant gesture to all who have hurt them in the past.
For most though I think it is just being honest to those they love.

Answer 5

it was a personal development issue. The reason I needed to come out was because that's what I chose, whether I would get the support of my friends and my loved ones.

Answer 6

I think it is different for different people. For me, personal issue, because if I wasn't upfront about who I was, and honest to family and friends how could I expect them to know who I was or take me seriously?

I think it is important to come up to be honest to yourself and let loved ones know who you are, it also gives us a transparent presence in our society. Ths process is more often than not tough, but it gives you the skills to do it all the way through life. Remember, you don't come out once, you come out over a lifetime, there's always new people that you're going to have to come out to!

Answer 7

It should be a personal development issue...a couple of guys I went to high school with were gay but never came out because they would have been treated very badly (went to high school in a redneck town). After they moved away, they came out and they are so much happier!

Answer 8

It shouldn't be an issue. It is just a matter of doing what feels right at the time that it feels right, for no other reason than the gay person feeling that whomever they are coming out to, ought to know. Gays come out to different people at different times, when it feels right to them. At least that's how my beloved gay family member does it.

Answer 9

Some people think that it gives them some sort of security I guess. I never "came out." I have a gay cousin, and no one knew she was gay until her partner started to come to all the family functions. It was completely logical, in fact, we call her partner her wife if we ever talked about them. Its very normal for us.

Answer 10

personal development issue--for me.....because I was afraid that nobody would like me if they knew. That sounds ridiculous coming from a 57 year old man...but when I was younger that terrified me.