Coming Out Resources

Coming out is when a person decides to reveal  an important part of who they are with someone in their life. For many  LGBTQ people, this involves sharing their sexual orientation and/or  gender identity.

Coming out isn’t  always easy. After thinking it through, you may decide not to come out.  You are valid and deserve support no matter who you do or do not share  your identities with. Remember, there isn’t one right way to come out,  and it’s YOUR choice. 

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:

• 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

Remember, you are always welcome at our support meetings--out or not. 

 This reading list is an excellent starting point in your coming-out journey ahead, since  many of the titles listed cover the process both for those who are  navigating a new lifetime of being out and proud, and their significant  others, friends, families, and allies as well.