Coming Out

A lot of my blog posts are inspired from forum discussions, questions and articles I encounter on the internet and/or television. This latest post comes from a forum where someone asked "Why hide what you are?" in regards to coming out of the broom closet to friends and family. They felt that we shouldn't hide who we are and should be openly proud of paths and choices in beliefs. While yes, this seems like a good idea, here is my response:

"It's much easier said than done to proclaim to those you know that you're a Witch. Not everyone is understanding of one's personal beliefs. Many people believe that everyone should believe what they believe, otherwise they are on the opposing side and should not be associated with.

My family would probably be understanding, but growing up with them, they seem to think I don't know anything, and make naive choices without any research. Should I tell them I'm a Witch, chances are they'll think it's a phase that I'll grow out of. I could tell them everything I know and what I practice, AND ensure them that I'm serious about it, and they'd STILL think it's a phase.

My husband's family on the other hand, are the type of people who would try to convert me back to Jesus. My husband's grandfather is a former decon; his aunt, a former nun, and the rest die-hard church goers...so there are a lot of hard core Christians in that family, and my coming out to them would cause me unnecessary attention that I could really do without (not to mention their possible attempts to try to "save" my children from my ungodly ways).

I think it's naive to assume that coming out to people is best because we're supposed to live freely. Things aren't that simple. While it would be so easy to just tell everyone I know "Hey...I'm a Witch", and have them accept me for me isn't that simple. As stated above, my husband's family (whom I like, despite their "devotion to Christ"), would shun me and wouldn't allow me to set foot in their homes. They would email me, call me, approach me at every event telling me that my ways are sinful and that I should return to Christ for he is the way, and blah, blah, blah. I would hate that constant badgering, not only on me, but on my husband AND children as well. It's not only me that I have to worry about, should I come out. I have my family, their safety and THEIR beliefs I have to take into consideration.

There are numerous people here on "(site name)" alone who have had huge problems after coming out with family members (and have blogged about it here). People who have gotten divorced, have had their beliefs used against them in custody hearings, AND many have lost! Members here have been harassed and badgered by their family members over their choices on a constant basis. It's not so easy to cut people like these out of your life.

If someone is thinking of coming out of the "broom" closet to friends and family, you should determine who you should tell and determine if they are the right people to tell.
ARE they going to be understanding?
ARE they going to accept you for you and not worry about your choices?
ARE they going to let you live your life and practice what you wish?
OR

Are they going to do everything they can to make you regret even thinking about coming out to them.

Sometimes it's just safer for not only the person in the closet to remain where they are, but for their families as well. It's not that they're ashamed (and I HATE it when people assume that because people are "in the closet" they're ashamed of their practices) it's just better for them to remain where they are. Remember the safety tip: "It's better to remain where you are, than to wander off and risk getting lost". You could not only lose faith in your beliefs, but lose your identity because you chose to come out to the wrong person.