1. An awakening as to who you really are in terms of sexual orientation and attraction, which usually doesn't
fit mainstream heterosexism. Coming out means figuring out that you are
lesbian, gay, bisexual,
pansexual, etc., and it happens in stages across a certain period of time. One aspect is coming out to yourself, a process that ends at some point.
2. Deciding to tell certain people in your
life that you are
lesbian, gay, bisexual,
pansexual, etc. This is a never ending process, because every time you move, change jobs, or make new friends you have to decide whether to share your sexual orientation or not. It's not always a good idea, because there is still prejudice and discrimination in workplaces.
3. Activists make public declarations about their sexual orientations as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, pansexuals, etc., not to solidify their identities or to determine if their friends are truly friends, but to reduce the invisibility of these marginalized identities by advocating for acceptance and affirmation in mainstream society.
1. When Ethan realized he was bisexual, he came to understand and accept his sexual orientation by coming out to himself but not to anyone else.
2. While Jennifer was coming out, she decided to tell her friends and queer acquaintances about her lesbian sexual orientation but not her
parents or coworkers.
3. After many years of being accepted as a gay man at
work, among his family and friends, and within himself, Tim Cook, CEO of
Apple, decided that his coming out would extend to a public declaration so he could use his good fortune and safe
life to do something to help youth coming out into more dangerous situations.
