Coming out
“I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act. It is an act that can be met with hostility, exclusion, and violence. It can also lead to love, understanding, transcendence, and community. I hope that my being real with you will help empower you to step into who you are and encourage you to share yourself with those around you.”
Marjorie, she/her, 23, NJ
Knowing where and how you can be your most authentic, full self is an important step in the journey of identity development. For some people formally disclosing your identity or coming out feels important, for others it is not. This is a deeply personal choice.
There are also a lot of strong emotions that can come up during this process - feeling nervous, scared, or even sad. You might feel a mix of positive and negative emotions - feeling excited and scared, or happy and nervous. Whatever emotions you feel are valid.
If coming out is something you are exploring, we recommend checking out these resources:
As always, use your best judgement (and trust your gut) about the safety of coming out to the people in your life. If at any point you need to speak with someone during your coming out process, consider reaching out to the Trevor Project or Crisis Text Line.
Keep exploring with It Gets Better on TikTok
What to do next
Join Q Chat Space
Are you an LGBTQ+ teen? Join one of our many moderated chats at Q Chat Space, where you can talk to other LGBTQ+ teens and trained facilitators.
