Hmm, I'm not sure I'm getting my point across. Being you *is* what helps - as long as you aren't in the closet, someone you may not even know can see you and think "huh, maybe gays aren't so bad" or "hmm, maybe it wouldn't be so bad being gay"...I've been told plenty of times "I don't like gay people but I like you." Which was all because before me, they didn't *know* anyone gay. If you are out, you are a role model (for good or ill) for those still in it wanting to peek out or the young ones just coming up.