Home

Purpose

Activities

Membership

Coming Out

People

Community

Links



Coming Out

"Coming Out" refers to the process in which a lesbian, gay man, transgender, or bisexual person comes to accept their sexual or gender orientation and share that self knowledge with others. Sometimes that process is relatively quick, other times it takes years. In many ways, a GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender) person will go through many "coming out" experiences throughout his or her lifetime. Being bisexual, transgender, lesbian, or gay is typically not discussed or expected in our society, and there will always be someone out there that does not yet know. As a GLBT person, sharing the knowledge of who one is and what one has experienced is often rewarding and quite often brings the person closer to whomever he or she is telling. Sometimes, however, people react with shock or disappointment. In many of these cases, however, time brings reconciliation and understanding.

If you are struggling with issues of coming out, or know someone who is struggling with coming out, please feel free to contact us. One mission of GLBTA is to educate and inform, and we will be able to point you in the direction of resources that can be of help. As individual members, too, many of us will be able to share our experiences and hopefully give you a greater understanding of what you are experiencing. You need not be alone in the coming out process. Feel free to contact us at usaglba@gmail.com if you would like more information, or drop by one of our regular meetings (see the Activities page for details).

If you are contemplating taking the next step, whether it be talking to a close confidant or coming out to your employer or simply accepting who you are to yourself, consider taking it on National Coming Out Day, October 11. You can be certain that thousands of men and women will be taking similar steps on this national day of encouragement and celebration.

For more information on the coming out experience, and some helpful guides to what family members might experience when you come out to them, visit the following web-sites:




University of South Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance
The views and opinions expressed in these web page(s) are strictly those of the author.
The contents of these pages have not been reviewed or approved by the University of South Alabama.
For comments or questions about our web site, please E-mail the Webmaster.
Last date changed: Monday, May 17, 2004 11:30 AM URL: http://www.southalabama.edu/glbta/comingout.html