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Coming Out Tips

Coming Out Tips + Coming Out FAQs + Coming Out Trans + Coming Out Stories

1. Never come out in an argument or to hurt someone
2. Never Come out in a moving vehicle
3. A person is more intelligent than a group of people, Come out to people one at a time and in private.
4. People who are ignorant may say things they don't realize are painful to hear. Remember they are unaware and most likely surprised.
5. The may ALREADY know.
6. People have to deal with (a) the issue of homosexulatiy, (b) you as a person, and (c) the combination of the two. You probably don't fit the stereotypes they think about.
7. BE SOBER
8. Don't have your lover with you. This is not "Lets make a Deal"-More surprises are not good to hear.
9. Be ready for them to need time and space to think about things before a discussion can take place.
10. Be ready for them to drill you with questions you may or may not be ready to hear. (see #4)
11. Sometimes is easier to read about an issue than to admit you are uneducated. Have a phone #, a book, a pamphlet, or other resources that can be called upon when you are not around.
12. It is your life to live, you only have one, and the bottom line is that you are going to continue living as a gay person no matter what their reaction is.
13. It may not be a bad idea to have smelling salts available.
14. There are people who will never be supportive, no matter what is said.
15. If your audience has that deer in the headlights look, don't leave.
16. BREATHE
17. No two coming out experiences are ever the same.
18. Don't plan on doing anything else for the rest of the day/night.
19. People will need a lot of time, for the most part, to really think about things.
20. Always have an escape plan. You may not need it, but if you do, you won't be surprised. Have a place to crash for the night and money you can get to in case a worse case scenario does occur.
21. Have resources for you to call. You need support too.
22. Just because you come out once doesn't mean you won't have to do it again and again.
23. Do not try to answer questions about other people. This is you we are talking about.