Coming out is the process of telling someone that you are LGBTQ+.
This is related to the phrase ‘coming out of the closet’ and has now become the phrase that asks people to also come out to support members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This can often be the most difficult decision a member of the LGBTQ+ community will have to make, and for young people who are thinking about coming out to family, could have

 

This document has been been produced by Stonewall UK.
Click the image and this will take you to the PDF file.

This document has been produced by LGBT Youth Scotland as a coming out guide for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual young people.
Again just click the image and this will take you to the PDF file,

Another excellent document created by LGBT Youth Scotland as a coming out guide for trans young people.
A link has been added to the image which will take you to the PDF file.

For Transgender Young People and their Families

LGBT Youth Scotland and the LGBT Foundation have created two documents that are worth reading if you are looking for advice on how to support a Trans young person, whether a friend, teacher or family member.

Something to think about
As a thought for what it takes to come out, a recent mainstream movie called Love Simon features a scene (added below) where the lead character is asking himself why being ‘straight’ (heterosexual) is the default setting for an individual’s friends, family and colleagues in terms of their understanding of their relationship with each other, making coming out as LGBTQ+ always something that will be difficult for young people to share with family, friends and colleagues.

But what if every young person had to come out no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, where no assumptions were ever made by parents, friends, family and colleagues?  Would the pressure be increased for all young people and families?  Or would the shared experience become a lived experience that breaks down homophobia, biphobia and transphobia?

To return to the main page of Equalities – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity simply click this link