The closet can be an ugly place to be. Always hiding, lying and skulking around. Constantly monitoring who you hang out with, where you hang out, what you're wearing, what others think. Most of us have been there. And, largely, when people do come out they find it's less of a negative than they feared.
Life does go on.
But felt they had to hide who they loved. I kept my secret for all the reasons used to fool ourselves. You name it. That was my reason for lying to myself and to others who supposedly loved me. Coming out has taught me a lot.