Coming Out

Figuring out if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBT+) can be confusing.

Some people fancy people of the same gender, a different gender or more than one gender. If you are discovering your gender identity, you may feel that your body does not always fit in with the gender you were given at birth. It’s ok to take time to figure out what feels right for you. You know yourself best and can choose how you want to identify or choose not to define yourself by any label.

Coming out means sharing your sexual orientation and/or your gender identity with people in your life.  Before coming out to others, it is important that you are ready to tell others, confident in yourself, and sure that you want to come out.

Some people find it easier to first come out to a close friend or to somebody who accepts them for who they are. This could be a teacher, a youth worker or another LGBTQ+ person. Others feel it’s important to come out to family members before anyone else. Coming out is different for everyone. However you choose to do it, it’s important that you are happy for this person to know. Remember, you do not need to come out to everyone at once.

Before deciding who you want to come out to, ask yourself:

• Does this person need to know?

• Will they tell anyone else?

• How might they react?

• Will they be supportive?

• Am I happy with other people knowing right now?

• Do I feel safe sharing this?