Honestly, there are a good amount of queer people in the world who don't always have empathy for tough coming out processes. Which is great for them that they (1) had a supportive network or (2) were, themselves, able to tough it out, but not everyone has (1) or the ability to do (2), in the context of (1). I'm not saying it's a form of internalized homophobia, but I'm not saying it's not either.

I don't think Colton's actions were at all appropriate, and they have likely traumatized Cassie and her family permanently. But I understand that Colton did this in a context of a world that was not made for him, and can have empathy for him and the perhaps millions of queer men and women around the world who live a similar journey where they have to navigate living with a (somewhat hidden) marginalized identity every day when their society doesn't allow them to be fully authentic. Is that an excuse or justification? No. But it is nuance.