Is it safer to stay in the closet?

With homophobic attacks increasingly on the rise more than we know statistically, I would have to say that the gay community is more basically tolerated rather than accepted. I have seen the negative comments and hate and dislikes pride events get on YouTube videos. Homophobia is everywhere, certainly in the police force and the army. How do you feel. Do you feel safer being in the closet and being strickly private?