For many of us who were born before the middle of the 20th Century (or since), the Gay Closet has been our abode. For many years to live outside the closet was not an option: It has always been "don't ask; don't tell." Society demanded it. Marriage presumed it. Politics insisted on it. Jobs required it. Religion condemned being out. The military would have it no other way.

The gay closet was always crowded with people from every walk of life and all professions and life styles listed above. Of course, many gay men lived like hermits in their lonely closets, but most of us had contacts with other gay men. One of the amusements was whispering gossips about closeted gay politicians, football players, military men, actors, and of course, clergyman who were everywhere.

Long before there was "twitter," we were passing on knowledge, rumors, and fantasies about who was gay. Our favorite game was: "Guess who I slept with." The answer was a choice of the above professions. A name was not necessarily given, but the person's status or occupation always was. You got high points for bedding a sportsman, a Mormon missionary, or a military man. You got low points for being with an actor or clergyman, and if you got lucky with a musician or a hairdresser, you kept it to yourself.

"Guess who is gay" no longer titillates. There are just too many openly gay people (except in the Pentagon) to make the game interesting.

Consequently, the closet is now the loneliest room on the planet. If you are worried about your marriage or your job, you may have to stay there. Only you can decide. If there are no restraints, then come out. I hear people say that they do not want to embarrass their children or family by being gay. Believe me, your heirs will happily enjoy your gay money when you die. Why not enjoy your life now? Don't die in the closet. Get out and live a little. It is the safest time to do so in two thousand years.