coming out

1. an awakening as to who you really are in terms of s-xual orientation and attraction, which usually doesn’t fit mainstream heteros-xism. coming out means figuring out that you are lesbian, gay, bis-xual, pans-xual, 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, bis-xual, pans-xual, 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 s-xual 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 s-xual orientations as lesbians, gay men, bis-xuals, pans-xuals, etc., not to solidify their ident-ties or to determine if their friends are truly friends, but to reduce the invisibility of these marginalized ident-ties by advocating for acceptance and affirmation in mainstream society.
1. when ethan realized he was bis-xual, he came to understand and accept his s-xual 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 s-xual 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.
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is the term used by lesbians, gay men and bis-xuals to describe their experience of self discovery, self-acceptance, openness and honesty about their s-xual orientation and their decision to share this with others when and how they choose.
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when gay men and women and bis-xuals can finally accept who they are and reveal their orientation to friends and family

a perfect example of someone coming out:
guy:
gay guy: uhhh… dave? theres something i need to.. tell you.
dave: what is it bro?
gay guy: i think i’m gay.
dave: serious? how long have you known?
gay guy: a year… can we still be friends?
dave: sure, man. as long as you’re not turned on.

girl:
lesbian girl: ..hey trish?
trish: what
lesbian: if i tell you somethng will you completely freak out?
trish: no! what??? tell me.
lesbian: you’re totally gonna think im weird but.. im a lesbian.
trish: (silent) -laughs- really?!?!?!?!?!? your kidding
lesbian: no.. im serious.
trish: how long have you known?
lesbian: since i was like….. ten
trish: wow.

bis-xual:

bi girl: mom? i need to tell you something. i cant take it anymore.
mom: what..
bi girl.: i’m attracted to girls, mom. and boys. im bis-xual.
mom: (silent) really? what if its just a stage in your life..? it could be just a stage!!
bi girl: no.. mom. i know myself better than anyone else. i;m bis-xual.
mom: wow.
bi girl: you’re not mad, are you?
mom: no of course not.
bi girl: okay. (hugs)
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revealing one’s h-m-s-xuality to the public.
“i thought steve was straight but i heard he just came out.”
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when a gay, lesbian, h-m-s-xual etc. reveals to the public that they are what they are.
guy: “i am gay and proud!”
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revealing a clandestine relationship.
“none of their friends realized they were dating until the coming out.”
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what your dad will do after you drop out of college
you: “dad i dropped out.”
dad: “i am coming out son. i want to be gay.”
you: “d-mn dad, i was just kidding…”
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