13 Reasons Why You Must Come Out of the Closet

If you’re in the United States or Europe in October of 2016, it’s time, girl. Coming out was not an option for LGBT people of a certain age in the past, but that time has long since passed. There are 70-year-olds who have been living their authentic selves for the last 50 years. You can too, and it’s a disservice to those in other parts of the world, where coming out is dangerous, not to. Even in this country, there are still pockets of radical faith in which our own are oppressed and silenced. You must come out. Doing so empowers them — and it’s good for you, too. I promise. 

ALEXANDER CHEVES is a columnist for The Advocate. Follow his blog, The Beastly Ex-Boyfriend, and his Twitter @BadAlexCheves.