Coming Out

Telling people about your sexual orientation or gender identity is called coming out. Coming out is not necessarily a one-off event. Lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people may have to come out many times during their lives. It’s also very individual and people may face different challenges when coming out. This is very important question for gay youth.

There’s no right or wrong way or time to come our to your family. However, it’s a good idea to take time to think about what you want to say. Coming out when you’re arguing or angry isn’t a good idea. Some people tell their family face to face while others prefer to write a letter or send an email. Your family might be shocked, worried or find it difficult to accept at first. Remember, their first reaction isn’t necessarily how they’ll feel forever, they might just need a bit of time to process what you’ve told them.