Is it necessary to be out?

[Guest_17748971]

I really don't understand the having to be out business and why it seems so necessary. What people do in private I don't think is anyone else's business. Is it really important to have to say the gender you are into? I have kept my behind closed doors business to myself for over 20 years and hear of the many stories of coming out issues, why is it or is it important to come out? I have made it this far without doing that and I feel its noones business than mine. Eventhough you cop the taunts regardless for not ever marrying like as if there is a rule for having to do that too. People judge regardless why give them unnecessary information. Being who you are and want to be is hard enough, just don't think I want to make it tougher. 

I would like to know thoughts either way of the importance or non-importance of coming out.

[Croix]

Dear New Member~

I'd like to give you a warm welcome to the Forum, a place where one can be confident of revealing one's gender in anonymity.

I don't think there is just one answer to the reasons to or not come out. It is easy to worry about hate crimes and discrimination, both very valid. Also the way some people who are close to you may change. There are more, including employment and even the country in which you live.

On the other side may feel that hiding who they are is demeaning, leeches away self-confidence by constant pretense, Being open about sexual and gender identity can improve  LGBT people’s self-esteem and self-confidence, can enable  better relationships, and increases well-being and psychological health. .

It allows one to find others, or even an unofficial community of like persons. Isolation is kept at bay.

I'm not saying either view is for everyone. You have found a balance that suits you, and I"m glad for you.

Croix