Coming out of the closet is a metaphor which is used in relation to the people belonging to the LGBT community. It refers to a voluntary disclosure by lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders about their sexual orientations. More than ever, due to greater awareness and rigorous protests for equal rights people from LGBT community are coming out of their closets and embracing their sexual orientations in huge numbers. And they are taking this step at quite a young age. Of course, there are potential obstacles ahead, but isn't that a sign of progress?
However, if you have already decided on confronting others regarding your choices, here is why you should actually come out of your closet and how you can do this and set yourself free:
Breaking free from your closet is the best you can do to yourself and the ones who love you. Of course, reading something over the Internet and practically incorporating the same in your life are two different things. But, once you understand how important it is to let yourself come out of the closet and show who you really are, the journey ahead would become easier for you. We all are aware of the long struggle LGBT community has been facing to become a part of this society. The past decade has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of protests demanding equal rights for LGBT community. Be it queer pride parades or mass protests, the fight for the rights of the community has been slowly gaining momentum across the world. In such a scenario, there can't be anytime better than this to embrace one's identity and come out in the open. The higher the number of people coming out of the closet, higher would be the probability of having equal rights for all.
People who consider themselves as 'straight' and 'normal' are also required to understand and accept the other side of the story as well. We all are surrounded by some people from LGBT community who have never been able to reveal their identities openly due to the fear of rejection by society. If you are one of them, then you should understand that it is imperative to talk about this to your best friend, colleagues, parents and most importantly to yourself. That'll be a huge favor you can ever do to yourself. Things might get uncomfortable and you may have to face rejection or negligence but it is always better to speak for yourself than to become a silent sufferer. There is nothing to be ashamed of and nothing can be better than accepting yourself for who you are.
Another reason is that the moment you come out of your closet at present, the more opportunities you are creating for yourself and the LGBT population. The other people will also seek inspiration from you. Start by talking to someone who you trust completely. This will create that confidence in you to reveal your true identity in front of others. The level of anxiety that you face on a daily basis also gets lowered. It is important for you to understand that it's even physically unhealthy to remain anxious every time.
Embrace your identity, make rainbow cakes for other friend s from LGBT community and get the ball rolling. You can also develop your own tight-knit community which can help you in dealing with tough times. And not to forget, the essence of the entire concept of coming out of closet - sexual intimacy. It is beneficial to come out so you have the right partner to love you back. Verbalize your feelings before someone misunderstands the same and feels betrayed. Honesty is sexy. Being you is sexy. And that's the most important and the biggest reason for you to come out of the closet - You deserve it, unapologetically, vividly and loudly.
Once you have decided to reveal your identity and sexual preferences to others, there is no looking back. It might take some time for people to accept you completely but keep on defending every odd that comes your way. Stick to your choices. There are no strict rules to adhere to while revealing your identity. However, we can suggest some tips to come out of the closet in front of other people. The situation might be scary, you might have to face disappointments, but where there is a will there is a way.
#1. Remember That You Are About To Make An Honest Choice And That You'll Be Happy In The Long Run
This level of realization is pretty important when it comes to disclosing your sexual orientation. You need to understand that it might not be easy but you have nothing to lose. Your identity is the foundation of your life and there is no way you can live a happy life without embracing it completely. Think about the consequences of the revelation in a long run. It could make you a visible member of the community. The most authentic life is led when you can freely hang out with people of your choice, the way you want to irrespective of their gender. It is your choice to love or marry the person of whichever geneder you want to. Imagine yourself in the bigger picture and the fact that you will be able to live your life in a freer manner.
#2. Be Prepared For The Best And The Worst
Do not instantly consider on letting people know about your decisions. This might come as a shock to your family, friends, colleagues and other people due to myriad prjudices and stereotypes associate dwith LGBT community. So, you have to pick your battles very carefully. Pick up all your pieces and prepare yourself. Be reasonably sure as to whom you want to reveal your identity. Get yourself ready to answer all the questions people might throw at you. Be prepared for their treatment, good or bad. If you are suspicious of getting disowned, do not discuss such a crucial matter before you become independent. But it is always better to think about it in terms of positive consequences. Imagine if your family willingly accepts you then you can right away start doing things the way you want to. This will lead to an emotionally satisfying and happy life.
#3. Be Wise In Choosing The Person You Want To Come Out To
A sensible start for coming out of your closet is to choose your listeners carefully. Choose the ones who are closest to you and the ones you can blindly trust. Keep in mind that sexuality is not a barrier to success. Being who you are has nothing to do with what you want to achieve in life. Aim high, nothing has the ability to stop you. Just make sure that the person you choose to talk to is perfect for that purpose. He/ she should be capable enough to not misinterpret what you have to say. Discuss the matter carefully with them before you might want to open up publicly. And understand that you chose not to hide the facts but you took a brave decision to let them know about your preferences.
#4. Choose Your Approach Wisely
A few might choose to come out of their closet through a head-on approach. Others might want to stay calm and composed. So, it personally depends on how you choose a way. However, if you want to succeed in a sure shot manner, just take a deep breath and let it out. Do not sound harsh or low on confidence. Practice it beforehand if you wish not to stumble while talking about the revelation. The less of an issue you make it, the more pleasantly will others take it.
Revealing your orientation takes guts. And if you are confident about your choice, you have a plan to go forward with Maintain your cool while communicating, nothing can stop you. In fact, no one can really mess with your peace if you yourself don't let that happen. Do not overreact if they don't behave as expected. Explain them in a way that doesn't sound offensive and just resort for that particular manner in which you are able to derive mutually agreed solutions.
#5. You Do Not Have To Give Up
You must not give up on hope if you do not receive the expected reactions. You have the right to be who you want and who you are. In no case can the other person's rejection be put up as an evidence demonstrating you as not worthy of something. You just have to use the available resources as much as possible. Do not get disheartened if 10 people are against you. Get your shoulders back for that one person who is there to understand you. All you have to do is not let yourself break.
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