‘Coming out’ means telling someone something about yourself that isn’t immediately obvious. With regards to sexual orientation and gender identity this means sharing with others that you are lesbian, gay, bi or trans. The process of coming out can be very different for everyone and it can take some time to get to a point where you feel comfortable and confident enough to have those conversations with people. Coming out isn't a one time event for 2SLGBTQ people. It is something we will be required to do time and time again, for the rest of our lives.
The Trevor Project’s Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People, is a resource that covers a wide range of topics to support LGBTQ young people in exploring what coming out safely can mean for them. The handbook includes:
www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Coming-Out-Handbook.pdf
- Basics of gender: gender identity, gender expression, and transitioning
- Basics of sexual orientation: physical attraction, romantic attraction, and emotional attraction
- Coming out: planning ahead, testing the waters, environment, support systems, and safety
- Healthy relationships, self-care, mental health, and warning signs of negative mental health outcomes such as seriously considering suicide
www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Coming-Out-Handbook.pdf
Coming out to your loved ones isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; and choosing to remain in the closet for one’s safety does not make someone any less valid in the LGBTQI2S community. Everyone has a unique experience and set of circumstances that determine how they live as their authentic self.
egale.ca/egale-in-action/comingoutloud/
egale.ca/egale-in-action/comingoutloud/
Coming out is a rite of passage that everyone in the 2SLGBTQ community must experience in order to fully realize their authentic self and thrive.
National Coming Out Day is an annual 2SLGBTQ awareness day observed on October 11, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to "come out of the closet".
www.hrc.org/resources/coming-out
National Coming Out Day is an annual 2SLGBTQ awareness day observed on October 11, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to "come out of the closet".
www.hrc.org/resources/coming-out