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come out of the closet

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come out of the closet

1. to talk in public about something which you kept secret in the past because you were embarrassed about it It's time hairy women came out of the closet. It's a problem that affects all women to a greater or lesser degree.

2. to tell people that you are homosexual (= sexually attracted to people of the same sex as you) so that it is no longer a secret He finally decided to come out of the closet so his mother would stop asking him why he wasn't married.

See also: closet, come, out

come out of the closet

1. to be willing to talk in public about something that was kept secret The biggest surprise was that so many viewers came out of the closet and publicly supported the show.

2. to announce that you are attracted to people of the same sex come out Not all gays come out of the closet, either because they don't want to or don't need to.

Usage notes: sometimes used without come in both meanings: We're bringing adoption out of the closet and trying to make people more comfortable with it. He's out of the closet with his friends, but not at work.

See also: closet, come, out

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? References in periodicals archive

In the January 17 issue, John Morgan Wilson writes about Hollywood actors who come out of the closet afar decades of being in the closet ["There Won't Be Trumpets"].

Pioneer days by Coles, Andrew / The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)

If your closet-organizing skills are limited to the throw-it, hide-it and just where in the heck did I put it variety, it's time to come out of the closet.

HOW, AND WHERE, TO GET STARTED\Now that you've decided to clean up ... by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)

I am proud that I was able to come out of the closet with dignity and on my own terms.

Out in Miami-Dade by Galvin, Scott / The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)

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