What to do

[marshlander]

... But it really does depend upon the people, different areas have different types of homophobia so I would recommend being careful and try to come out slow, not all at once!

I understand what you're saying, but I just have a funny image of opening a bag and only letting part of a cat out

Back to SELondon87, I'd probably go for the one friend at a time thing to start with ... and I'd pick my first friend carefully. Other than that, can't your b/f just join in with being your "guest" in the group until he acquires his own status? It will become apparent soon enough to those who are interested that you have a special relationship.