|
GLBTSS Home
News and Events
About Us
Resources
Library
Programs
Our Allies
Email Lists
Photo Gallery
|
Ways to prepare for coming out
-
Have a serious talk with yourself. Clarify specifically what you hope
will happen as a result of disclosure, what you expect will really happen.
Without a clear purpose, your presentation of self may be a scary and
risky experience without an attainable objective.
-
Select the particular person or persons to whom you wish to disclose. Tell
the person(s) that you want to share something important, that you want to have
a serious personal conversation. Although you cannot make someone ready to
hear what you have to say, you can create a situation in which the other
person feels ready for a serious personal conversation.
-
Select a time and a place. Avoid situations which may result in a lack of
time or privacy. Neither you nor the other person can interact honestly
and fully if he/she does not feel there is enough situational privacy.
Coming out is a continuing process, not a hit and run bombing mission or
something done well in a crowded public place.
-
Keep your disclosure clean. That is, don't clutter it up with attempts to
punish, cause guilt or gain sympathy. Talk about yourself, your feelings
and your experiences. Stay with "I" statements. Being gay is no one's
fault. What you as a person decide to do with your gayness is your
responsibility.
-
Allow time for surprise reactions. It is doubtful that you came into
self-acceptance overnight. Asking that another accept and appreciate you
faster than you have learned to appreciate yourself is self-defeating.
-
Be ready to clearly identify learning resources which are available to the
person. For example, books, films, magazine articles, journals, counselors
etc. As your learning has taken time and energy, the "significant other"
will need time to digest your disclosure and ingest a new understanding.
-
An important step, certainly not the last priority, is the setting up of a
gay support system. Participating in a gay, lesbian, bisexual support group
can help prepare you for disclosure to significant others in your life. It
can also provide you with support and understanding during and after the
disclosure. If this type of group is not available to you, having supportive
friends, teachers, relatives, etc. is also a good source of support for the
coming out process.
Coming out in our society is an endless process and being proud to be gay
requires constant affirmation of self.
|
Contact Us
Phone:
303-556-6333
FAX:
303-556-3896
info@glbtss.org
We are located in Tivoli 213
Hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mailing Address:
GLBTSS
Campus Box 74
P. O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217
Auraria Campus Map
CCD Student Life
MSCD Student Services
UCDHSC Student Life
|
