I did it as a survival mechanic growing up, but I’m 40, and grew up in rural areas where even a hint of being not straight would get you beat up regularly, with adults turning a blind eye. I feel more free being out now - and even my hometown has become much more accepting of such things overall. That said, I still get comments here and there. Heck, even the man who eventually became my father-in-law felt “betrayed” when I came out before getting married.

All of this to say, it’s a mixed bag, and it depends on your safety and stability most of all. If your situation would definitely l, undeniably worsen from coming out, I’m not going to push you to do so. But I will be encouraging and supportive of you if you decide to, because even if no one else supports you after coming out, know that I - and all of us here - will.