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