Coming out Quote by Anthony Venn-Brown
““Make no mistake, hiding one's true self away in a closet and creating a facade of heterosexuality is not without its consequences; one being that no-one ever knows the real you. The closet may appear to have a degree of safety but from my experience they are very unhealthy places and do all kinds of destructive things to individuals psychologically, emotionally and behaviourally. The damage of fear, shame and self-loathing from an existence inside the closet is often projected unknowingly in the external life of the individual. They live with a false sense of safety, sometimes arrogance, behind the façade, unaware of the unconscious signals they give off that all is not well in their inner world. In or out of the closet; there is a price to pay. Each individual must weigh up the consequences of honesty and openness or secrecy and deception for themselves. When I see the impacts the closet has on individuals, there is never a moment of doubt; I made the RIGHT choice.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Public speaking, Anthony Venn-Brown, 2015
Living a false identity harms mental health; honesty frees the self and improves relationships.
In simple terms: Hiding true self causes emotional damage; openness heals.
Choose authenticity over concealment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace
- family gatherings
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears keep you hidden?
- How could honesty improve your wellbeing?
Risk of rejection or conflict when revealing true self.