What exactly does it mean to be "out" of the closet?

Question

Does out mean that you are willing to let ANYONE know that you are g*y or just that you have admitted it to yourself and those close to you?

I'm comfortable with the fact that I'm g*y and my immediate family knows, but I haven't told anyone at work and I usually don't want people in public to know (unless I'm in a g*y club or something).

Would I be classified as out?

Answer 1

Out of hiding. They are not going to hide their sexuality any longer.

No, you are not out all the way. Who cares what people think. If they dont except you then you dont need them boo!

Answer 2

i would say coming out of the closet,,

is letting those you want to know know that your gayy.

people at your work and public dont really need to know yourr gayy.

its honestlyy your business.

so i would say it would be telling whoever you want to knoww,,

Answer 3

it means are are openly g*y, and dont hide it from anyone.

That dose not mean tho that you go around and tell everyone you meet. Str8 people dont do that

It just means if anyone askes "are you guy" you say yes  

Answer 4

Yes, I would say you are out.  I don't blame you for not telling coworkers.  As long as the people close to you know, that is all that matters.

Answer 5

it's like a superstition like don't think out the box , it's the same but just your thinking likeeeeee..... dont think out the closet

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Answer 6

I think once I stopped feeling trapped by my sexually, and began to  feel free and out of my unchained confinement. I was out of my closet.

My family knowing I had fallen in love with a woman was not the closet it simply included them in to something I needed to accept first.

people at work know I am g*y because my significant other and I work at the same organization so they assume something that I believe it's none of their business but they make it theirs anyway. Although we both behave appropriately(no pda's or pet name calling during business hours) however people may comment at company events and such why we spend our free time with each other?

We keep it as "don't ask don't tell basis"

Not wearing a big sexual orientation tag doesn't make you less g*y nor a closet case. I thinks as many others you are simply a reserved and private individual  

Answer 7

I would say you're out, but I suppose to be completely out of the closet you are loud and proud, which isn't necessarily the best way to be.

The thing that truly counts is that you are comfortable within yourself and those you love know.

Answer 8

Hey kid,

No, you are not out.  You are semi-closeted.  I have a picture of Jonathan and I on my desk at work.  We just had a baby girl by surrogacy and my colleagues decided to throw a baby shower -- I've never had anyone care at work, or in general -- but that's because I have no problem with it.  When I was 14 only a few people knew -- but I knew I wasn't out then, by 20 I was, and I've never seen a reason to go back in.

Hermes