do not exercise our rights?
It is not easy to come out of the broom closet, and in many cases being totally open in all facets of your life is just not feasible. But everytime we hide, we hurt the Pagan community at large because we only strengthen society’s tendency to believe that we have something to hide, which in turn leads more Pagans to remain hidden. It is a nasty and vicious circle of prejudice that will not end until more of us are open about our faith. When more of us hold our heads up proudly and stop acting as if we have some dirty little secret, only then will society begin to accept us as a part of it.
This does not mean that all Pagans need to run out into the street shouting the word of the Goddess. This does not mean we all should start wearing huge pentacles and engaging everyone we meet in a debate on theology. But everytime one of us makes an effort to fit in with society without apology, without shame, and without a doubt that we are just as spiritually valid as anyone else, the whole Pagan community benefits. Those efforts do not have to be huge. Everyone of us can take baby steps out of the closet to shine a little light on Paganism so that society can see us for what we really are.
10 Baby Steps Out Of The Broom Closet
1. Wear a pentacle in public. It need not be huge, just visible. If you need to be careful, wear it only when you will not see anyone who knows you. Even if you only wear it to the grocery store once a month, someone will see it. If you are asked what it means, smile warmly and explain simply. If someone glares at you, smile warmly anyway.
2. Next time you are asked for a poll/survey/census what religion you are, be honest.