How to Come Out at High School
Making the choice to come out at high school can be one of the most difficult decisions young gay men or lesbians make. If you are debating whether or not you will come out to friends or loved ones at high school, consider the following steps as a way to begin that process.
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Instructions
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Assure yourself of your own sexuality before making attempts to come out to others. You may do some research first to help you deal with your emotions.
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Read or listen to accounts of other gay and lesbian teens that came out during high school. Sometimes this can provide great reassurance.
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Tell a close friend first. Begin slowly by reinforcing all of the positive aspects of your relationship with them. Assure your friends that your relationships with them will not change and that you still value and care for them.
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Choose whom your share your sexuality with carefully. Your sexual choices are private affairs and you do not have to tell anyone.
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Report anyone discrimination or harassment to the school authority figures. You have the right not to be bullied or intimidated.
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Tips & Warnings
Familiarize yourself with any support groups that may help teens make decisions with regard to their sexuality.
Only come out when your ready. This is not a choice that you should be pressured to make.
Never feel pressured to make statements about your sexuality that you are not comfortable making. No one has a right to pressure or coerce you.
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Comments
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zzxxxzz
Jul 10, 2008
I love how people think that this whole thing can be turned into a formula. I've wanted to come out since I was 8, but 8 years later I still haven't. there's never a perfect time to tell people (especially when you're still stuck in the suburbs in high school). sure, I have accepted it myself, but sometimes you can tell that other obviously won't. Sure they're "liberal-minded" and vote for liberal candidates, but they don't want to actually be in a deep personal relationship with an actual gay person. They may pretend to accept you, but they will most certainly feel uncomfortable around you and the friendship will likely deteriorate. The point is, coming out is really easy for straight people to suggest/give instructions about. But when the person coming out is you, you can't look at everything from a "who cares what they think" perspective. Whenever someone makes a gay joke or -
zzxxxzz
Jul 10, 2008
I love how people think that this whole thing can be turned into a formula. I've wanted to come out since I was 8, but 8 years later I still haven't. there's never a perfect time to tell people (especially when you're still stuck in the suburbs in high school). sure, I have accepted it myself, but sometimes you can tell that other obviously won't. Sure they're "liberal-minded" and vote for liberal candidates, but they don't want to actually be in a deep personal relationship with an actual gay person. They may pretend to accept you, but they will most certainly feel uncomfortable around you and the friendship will likely deteriorate. The point is, coming out is really easy for straight people to suggest/give instructions about. But when the person coming out is you, you can't look at everything from a "who cares what they think" perspective. Whenever someone makes a gay joke or
-
zzxxxzz
Jul 10, 2008
I love how people think that this whole thing can be turned into a formula. I've wanted to come out since I was 8, but 8 years later I still haven't. there's never a perfect time to tell people (especially when you're still stuck in the suburbs in high school). sure, I have accepted it myself, but sometimes you can tell that other obviously won't. Sure they're "liberal-minded" and vote for liberal candidates, but they don't want to actually be in a deep personal relationship with an actual gay person. They may pretend to accept you, but they will most certainly feel uncomfortable around you and the friendship will likely deteriorate. The point is, coming out is really easy for straight people to suggest/give instructions about. But when the person coming out is you, you can't look at everything from a "who cares what they think" perspective. Whenever someone makes a gay joke or
-
zzxxxzz
Jul 10, 2008
I love how people think that this whole thing can be turned into a formula. I've wanted to come out since I was 8, but 8 years later I still haven't. there's never a perfect time to tell people (especially when you're still stuck in the suburbs in high school). sure, I have accepted it myself, but sometimes you can tell that other obviously won't. Sure they're "liberal-minded" and vote for liberal candidates, but they don't want to actually be in a deep personal relationship with an actual gay person. They may pretend to accept you, but they will most certainly feel uncomfortable around you and the friendship will likely deteriorate. The point is, coming out is really easy for straight people to suggest/give instructions about. But when the person coming out is you, you can't look at everything from a "who cares what they think" perspective. Whenever someone makes a gay joke or
