I spent much of my time in Republican politics in the closet.

In 2010, on a high-profile Senate race, I received an anonymous email threatening to out me.

It was designed to terrify. And it was one of the most physical experiences of fear I've had.

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When the terror subsided, I resolved never to allow my own fear to become a weapon in someone else's hands.

I came out several weeks later, on Thanksgiving, and I now look back at that moment with profound gratitude for the way it changed my life.

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Tragically, many LGBTQ+ people still live in fear—of far worse things than emails.

And for some, the decision to come out can still have devastating, even deadly, consequences.

Despite our progress, we still have much work to do.

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And given Justice Alito's and Justice Thomas's recent display of contempt for our right to marry as secured in the Obergefell decision — Thomas called it a "problem" — we cannot assume that progress is secure.

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So if you're in the closet and you're ready, I wish you the courage to disarm your fear by telling your story, when and how YOU choose.

Because there is love and joy waiting for you.

And we need you in this fight.

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