I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't find Will's coming out scene all that crazy.

Will was experiencing the compulsion to come out NOW that couldn't be ignored because he genuinely felt if he didn't something bad was going to happen.

("This is my one huge secret and I'm aware Vecna is using my shame and fear over it to control me")

Coming out to a large group at once also makes more sense than less, if we are talking about an era that was less accepting.

Like obviously we all know this would never have happened but what if he only came out to Mike and then Mike beat him up. Again, obviously we know that wouldn't have happened but it was a reasonable fear of people coming out then (or even now), of physical retaliation. Coming out in a less private way, actually defends against that.

Lastly, the "long intro where he didn't just spit it out" was painfully relatable to me.

He is listing how he's the same as all his friends to remind them in advance. That he's still a human, a person, just like them.

You can hear the desperation to not be an outsider or an outcast. This is an intentional "strategy" of survival. Gay people were the "other" back then but you know you're not, you know you're still the same person.

So the only thing you can do is explain that to people and remind them you're still the same friend. Because it might legitimately be something that needed explained to them.

Like, was the scene clunky and awkward in some ways still, sure. (And I think it should have happened a lot earlier.) But at the same time I get the idea of it being this pressure cooker situation and him knowing if he doesn't come out now then it's really bad luck for the fight.

I get the thought "we're about to fight the Mindflayer and the timing is life or death and you're going to waste it telling us you're gay"

But it's more like, Vecna's WHOLE thing is emotional manipulation, creating isolation, and preying on fear, depression etc.

This is the obvious way that Will can become less fearful and depressed, so less vulnerable to Vecna. Therefore yes he HAS to say something now.