Unless coming out will cause severe detriment to your physical safety I say go for it.

"Some people are like slinkies, not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."

Being 'in' is hell. Yeah, being out can be awful, too, but at least you're not blaming yourself for lying.

so, unless you will truly fear for your safety, i say go for it. fuck them all. you might be lonely, miserable and a whole lot of other crappy stuff, at least for a bit, but you'll be true to yourself.

your friend is sweet to be concerned, but no matter how much he cares, he DOESN'T know. how could he? is he gay?

you have to make your own place in the world. i say, be out, but only if it's right for you.

Bulldyke
"this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart" e.e. cummings

Your friend is missing a huge concept here. Your life isn't ruined when you stay closeted for a simple reason: it isn't being lived.

Can things go bad? To some extent, but usually the biggest risk is your parents finding out, so if they already know, you already mitigated the biggest obstacle.

Can you lose friends? No. Because people who desert you when they find out you're gay aren't really your friends anyway. They're just the people you wouldn't stay in touch with after high school. So, you're only cutting loose the dead weight early.

I guess it could be an issue if your parents don't want you to come out, but that assumes they have a say in the matter. They have your best interest in mind, and don't want to see their kid have more obstacles, and things possible getting in the way of your happiness. But they often miss the big picture of how much mental bullshit you have to endure in the closet.

I believe the old quote has some merit: "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not."

Of course, there is the notion of just "being out" rather than coming out. Don't lie. Answer direct questions. Do nothing to conceal your sexuality. And see how far it comes out on its own...

---
"Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." - Rumi

Add me on Facebook and MySpace.

It's really difficult to come out to everyone, and it can make you look like you're pressing your homosexuality on everyone and just being obnoxious about it, if you're bouncing up and down and going "hihowareyouI'mgay!" That's what happened to me--I was forceful about coming out, and everyone got fed up with my gayness and just sort of annoyed. My advice: don't come out to everyone, be out to everyone. Don't feel the need to tell everyone that you're gay, just don't let yourself be at all censored.

Megan: "Cheers are supposed to be simple, make people feel good."
Graham: "Cheers make girls do stupid cartwheels. Orgasms make people feel good."
-But I'm a Cheerleader

Thanks everyonw... Again.

As I entered the room, I found myself filled with regret. Why am I doing this? All I know is: God can only tell me what I am searching for. I kneel and pray. Truth floods into me. I feel lonely.