How to Come out as LGBT

Sexual identity is at the heart of many contemporary controversies. To come out as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered individual requires a great deal of courage and self-assurance. Here are a few things that might make it easier to come out as LGBT.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Talk to your immediate family as soon as you feel comfortable discussing your sexual identity. It's best to have the support of your family before coming out to a larger community as LGBT.
2. Seek out support groups in your community. Having contact with other people who knows what it means to come out as LGBT will give you a strong resource for dealing with the challenges emotionally.
3. Participate in pride events. Being active in the LGBT community will strengthen your identity and promote positive self-concept.
4. Explain to friends and family that you're still the same person you always were. People too often think that coming out as LGBT will change the essential you; remind them that you're the same person they've always loved.
5. Patronize establishments that are gay friendly. Participating in the LGBT community puts you in touch with a group of people who are more likely to understand where you're coming from as a LGBT person.

Tips & Warnings

• Never put yourself in a dangerous situation when you come out as LGBT. While it is important to stand by your identity, you must remember a certain type of person is capable of terrible things if they feel threatened.