#52. LGBTQ – Are You Ready to Come Out?

This Conversation Will Help You…

1. Determine personal safety around coming out - plans in case of danger with family
2. Know what kinds of things to consider when coming out, in order to stay safe

Think About This First

• Why do you think coming out is a big deal? There are assumptions made, from the time a person is born, about what kind of person they will grow up to be - including someone's gender identity and sexual orientation. You might take time to imagine what your friends and family would say if you were to tell them you had a different gender identity or sexual orientation than they had thought.

Having the Conversation

Start here:

What are some things to consider when a person is thinking about coming out?

Why do you think coming out is a big deal?

What would things be like if no one had to come out?

What would be different about that?

What are things to consider in case your family isn’t supportive?

What plans would you want to make in case you got kicked out of the house or something serious like that happened?

Do you know any resources that could help in these sorts of situations?

Continue:

What are some things you would do to keep yourself safe, and to increase your safety in coming out?

How would you know that it might not be safe to come out?

What kinds of things would let you know?

Are there ways a person could test the waters to find out what kind of reaction they might get? If a person was dependent on their family for financial support and a place to live, and food, and they think that all of that could be in danger if they came out, what would you advise them to do?

Would it make more sense to wait to come out until they were more independent?

Keep Talking:  

What are ways you know you can trust someone with knowing different parts about yourself? What makes you know they are trustworthy?

If someone was coming out, how might they determine the best person to come out to first off?

How could that person be a help to them if deciding to come out to family members?