How to Come Out in the Latino Community

Coming out in the Latino community can be a process made easier or more difficult based on the level of support that you have of family and friends. Traditionally Latino communities have very close ties to the Roman Catholic church. This has discouraged many gay and lesbian Latinos to stray away from sharing their true sexual orientation with others. This can be overcome by following a few steps.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Family
• Friends
• Research materials

1. Make sure that you are comfortable with your own sexuality before acting on your decision to come out publicly to your Latino community.

2. Involve a close friend in your decision. Come out first, by confiding in them; they can help ease the process of coming out to those who may not know you as well.

3. Tell only those people whom you trust and you feel need to know. Do not feel pressured by others to reveal your choices to those with whom you are not comfortable.

4. Research support groups that exist in your community for gay and lesbian Latinos. Often times, these are tied with other social and/or religious groups.

5. Choosing to tell your parents may be the last step in your process of coming out and accepting your sexuality. Make this decision carefully and bring an understanding friend or relative with you to help the process and provide emotional support.

Tips & Warnings

• When coming out for the first time to close friends, decide on a time and place that affords privacy; a place where you can talk openly.
• Come out only when you are ready.
• Some community members may react with shock, fear or ridicule to your coming out. Avoid confrontations with these people and rely on those who know you best.