Charles Dunst
The Washington Post: "Even in a Progressive Environment, I Had Trouble Coming Out as Gay"
Updated: Feb 12, 2019

Growing up in New York City with liberal parents and attending a school with the word “progressive” in its mission statement is probably the best-case scenario for any young gay man. The standard stories of American homophobia — with bullying, suicide and violence — were not reflective of my New York life in the 2000s and early 2010s. In my corner of the Upper East Side, coming out was not the life-shattering event it can be elsewhere. I was safe from familial disowning or any threat of violence.