LGBTA Resources + Information

Helping Those Coming Out



Understanding your own feelings:

Before anyone can help a gay man, lesbian or bisexual, he/she must examine his/her own feelings about same-gender relationships and activity.  Can the individual comfortably encourage the gay person to act on his/her same-gender feelings?  How would an individual react if a family member or roommate came out to him/her.  It might be helpful if the individual would discuss these issues with a person who is gay.

Acceptance:

Acceptance of gay men, lesbians, or bisexuals can have a powerful effect and impact on their self-concepts.  Complete understanding is not needed to be accepting.  An individual’s reaction can have a greater impact than all the collective direct and indirect reactions of society.

Destroying Myths:

A great number of myths support the negative responses members of society dole out.  Individuals can counteract those negative responses more effectively if they can help people coming out see through the myths and stereotypes that exist.  In order to do this, the individual can become familiar with these myths and possess accurate information about the realities of same-gender sexual orientation.

Acceptance with Significant Others:

The coming out stage is the most important in building self-acceptance.  Gay, lesbian, and bisexual people sometimes find it difficult to develop positive self-concepts until they have received positive reaction to their orientation.  Telling some significant people in their lives about their sexual orientation can be critical in developing positive self-conceptions.