Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

You realized your orientation, accepted it, and decided it was time to come out. Stop and think again if you are really ready for this. If so, first talk to your closest friends, and then decide if you want to share this news with the rest of your acquaintances. If you are in a relationship with another member of the LGBT community, get their support.

Steps

1. 1 Realize that you made a bold decision, and that in the long run it will bring you more happiness than trying to hide something. There is nothing more important than a positive attitude towards your orientation. You must fully accept yourself before demanding acceptance from others - if the idea of ​​being openly a member of the LGBT community disgusts you, review the situation again. Not everyone is able to instantly get rid of prejudices, but having come out, you will take a step towards changing your image in society, and ultimately accepting it. And although for some time after coming out, others may feel uncomfortable communicating with you, it is still better to be honest - this is the only sure way to a happy and comfortable life.
2. 2 Prepare yourself. Assess the consequences of coming out in front of your family, friends, and coworkers before you commit. Are there any homophobes among them? In some religions, homosexuality is considered a sin; you should respect the feelings of other people, but you should not put up with religious fanatics promoting intolerance and intolerance. It may take some time for those around you to get used to your orientation. Make sure those you open up to first are supportive and non-judgmental, and wait before telling anyone else. If you know other members of the LGBT community, you can ask them for advice. Your parents can take this news with hostility - remember that they grew up in a different generation, and in any case, they wish you only the best.
   • Be prepared for questions. Parents may worry about how others will treat you, or that you will not have a child - these feelings are understandable and should be taken seriously. If your family is religious, prepare information in advance that positively evaluates homo / bisexuality in terms of your religion. Tell them about religious and LGBT supporters.
   • If you suspect that your parents might disown you or want to stop communicating, wait until you are sufficiently independent of them before coming out.
3. 3 Choose wisely the person to whom you open up first. This should be a trusted friend or relative who is likely to support you. Talk about your sexual orientation with loved ones before making it public. Dose the information so as not to unsettle them - start with the phrase that you need to tell them something important, and you have been going to start a conversation about it for a long time. Make it clear that you did not keep your orientation a secret on purpose, but just wanted to figure it out first yourself.
4. 4 As you feel more confident, start opening up a little to your other friends. You don't have to tell everyone at once; People may react differently, so it's best to talk to everyone in private, choosing the right time. As with your parents, if you suspect that someone you know will not want to continue talking to you, or will attack you, wait until you are independent of them. Communicate your orientation as soon as you meet new people, if it doesn't bother you. It will be easier for people to accept you if they learn about everything from the very beginning. It is much more difficult to open up to old acquaintances who have already formed your image as a heterosexual in their heads.
5. 5 Choose your coming-out method carefully. You can communicate this news in a serious one-on-one conversation, or casually mention it in conversation, showing that you completely accepted the idea and feel confident. If you still want to start a separate conversation about your orientation, take a deep breath and just say it. You can practice at home first, but you shouldn't evade and hint directly during the conversation. Be straightforward.
   • If you don't want to create a lot of hype, try to casually insert your confession into the conversation. The more relaxed you are, the less likely it is to overreact in other people.
6. 6 Be pragmatic. You may face rejection; be prepared that not everything will go smoothly at once. Make sure that you are safe after your confession and that you are definitely ready for this step. It is not necessary to announce the news to the public right away if you feel that you are not confident enough and free to do so, or that it may harm you in some way. If you are dependent on someone whose attitude towards you may change after coming out, try to deal with the situation first and wait until you get to your feet on your own.
7. 7 Be proud of who you are No one should make you feel ashamed of yourself. Don't apologize or be ashamed of your orientation. Learn not to pay attention to the negativity from others; letting people think you feel guilty about who you are will only exacerbate their negativity and prejudice. Try to maintain a good mood - this will show everyone who cares about you that you feel good. People find it difficult to imagine themselves in your place, and they are not always able to understand your emotions. Just let them know that you are okay and happy.

Tips

• Don't be afraid to go to public places and meet your parents with your spouse. This is your life and your choice, do not be shy about your relationship.
• Figure out how to react to flirting. When someone starts making eyes at you, respond in a way that is comfortable for you. If you don't want to be direct about your sexuality, just say that you are already in a relationship.
  
  
• If you are ready to reveal all the cards, you can say something like "Thank you, but I have a partner. We are together already ..." or "I'm flattered, but I'm gay / lesbian", or "Thank you, but I don't date men / women’.
• be patient... Do not forget that you yourself did not immediately get used to your orientation, and others may also need time. Even if you are proud of yourself, do not expect the same from others and do not put pressure on them. Some people may have a hard time accepting a situation, and that's okay as long as they don't disrespect you.
• Meet new people, including both members of the LGBT community and those who do not belong to it; sometimes they can understand you even better and support you if coming out becomes a difficult period in your life. Do not take questions about orientation with hostility - this can lead to acquaintance with other members of the gay community.
• Use LGBT symbolism in your look - rainbow or pink inverted triangle. You can also make a rainbow necklace, bracelet, or headband.

Warnings

• Ignore people who throw offensive phrases like "You will go to hell "... Answer them "Thank you for your concern, but I feel quite comfortable and I'm sorry you are so upset about it," and stop communicating if possible. They are not worth your nerves.
• Avoid gossip! You may lose the trust of your friends if rumors reach them before you tell them all. If your decision can affect someone around you, make sure that these people know about everything first. For example, if you are dating a heterosexual boyfriend / girlfriend, tell them first. Don't make a fool of them, and don't pursue a relationship in which you are no longer interested. So you are only wasting time - both yours and your partner's.
• Notice if friends and family have changed their attitude towards you after coming out. You may feel uncomfortable or awkward at first - wait a little. If nothing changes over time, talk to them about this topic.
• Being an open member of the LGBT community is not always easy. Make sure you are safe and do not break the law by engaging in homosexual relationships.
• Perhaps after coming out you will become more often faced with negativity and rejection, but do not be discouraged, and remember that the main thing is how you feel about yourself.
• Think about your safety when choosing who to open up to and when. If you live in a conservative society, it is best to first find other members of the LGBT community and ask them about their experience of coming out.
• If you endure harassment at school or at work, do not be afraid to seek help from law enforcement.