Coming Out
7 Tips For Coming Out To Your Parents, Because It Can Be A Tough Convo
By Griffin WynneLet me tell you, coming out to my parents as "pansexual non-binary" was more confusing than trying to do my taxes for the first time (which, BTW, I gravely messed up). No matter how close you are with your folks, talking to them about your gender…
7 Tips For Coming Out To Your Partner, Because Vulnerability Isn't Always Easy
By Caroline ColvinIn general, coming out can feel daunting. Whether it's to your social circle, family, community, or the internet, speaking your truth often goes hand-in-hand with vulnerability. Opening up to a partner might feel even scarier if you think they might…
6 Tips For Coming Out To Friends, Because Opening Up Can Be Freeing
By Griffin WynneYour best friends could probably tell you which Spice Girl or Office character you're most like better than any BuzzFeed quiz. Still, no matter how close you are to your friends, expressing your sexuality and gender identity can be pretty flipping…
5 Tips For Coming Out To Your Roommate & Feeling At Home In Your Home
By Griffin WynneFor a lot of queer people (myself 100% included), coming out can be a multi-step process. Like, "more steps than building an IKEA shelving unit" level kind of process. From sharing with your friends and family to telling teachers or coworkers,…
7 Tips For Coming Out To Your Siblings, Because It's Not Always Easy
By Griffin WynneExpressing who you are to the people you grew up with is no small feat. Whether you're super close with your hippie little sister or you only talk to your tech-bro brother at mandatory family gatherings, dropping, "Hi, I'm queer!" isn't always easy.…
17 Amazing Resources To Turn To For Support After Coming Out
By Griffin WynneTo spare you the tears (and the years of therapy), let's just say that my "coming out" experience was nothing like I had expected. Though some of my friends and family tried to be there for me, no one really had the tools to make me feel safe and…
What To Know About Your Rights & Resources Before Coming Out At Work
By Rebecca StrongThere are currently over 8.1 million LGBTQ folks employed in the United States, according to the UCLA Williams Institute, but a 2015 Human Rights Campaign survey reports that 47% have experienced some form of discrimination in the workplace. On…
If You're Out To Some People But Not Others, Here's How To Stay Safe
By Griffin WynneA few months into my first year of college, a childhood friend came to visit me at school. I panicked the whole time about what to wear and what name to go by. Although I have always known that I am trans, college was the first time that I publicly…
Here's Why You Shouldn't Assume Anyone's Sexuality Or Gender Identity
By Griffin WynnePerhaps the modern version of, "Don't judge a book by its cover" is, "Don't judge a podcast by its thumbnail." No matter who you are, looking beyond first appearances and checking your preconceived notions is an important practice. Whether you're a…
Here's What To Do If You're Not Out, But You're Dating Someone Who Is
By Griffin WynneIn my ideal world, gender would be #canceled. Of course, in the real world, it's not always comfortable or safe for queer angels to openly embrace their identities. Maybe you're more private about your sexuality or gender identity than your partner.…
How To Fight For LGBTQ Rights On Coming Out Day
By Rebecca StrongOct. 11, 2019 marks the 31st anniversary of Coming Out Day, a national, annual awareness day aimed at raising the voices of those in the LGBTQ community and highlighting their experiences. On this day, we celebrate those people who have courageously…
Organizations To Donate To Support LGBTQ Individuals On Coming Out Day
By Rebecca StrongComing Out Day (Oct. 11) is dedicated to acknowledging the LGBTQ experience — and reminding ourselves that coming out is one of the most powerful moves an individual in this community can make. It’s also about shedding light on the challenges that…
7 Resources That Are Here For You If You're Scared To Come Out
By Rebecca StrongComing out can be a multi-faceted process, one that brings about a rollercoaster of emotions including excitement, fear, elation, anxiety, and relief, among other feelings. It’s totally normal to feel scared to come out. After all, doing so can…
What Coming Out In A "Straight" Relationship Is Like, According To 6 Queer People Who've Done It
By Caroline ColvinIf you identify as bisexual, pansexual, or sexually fluid, you've probably faced a different set of challenges than someone who's gay or lesbian. You may have dealt with homophobia from straight folks, but biphobia exists too, and it's a…
Here’s What Not To Say When Someone Comes Out To You
By Sean AbramsThe process of coming out is one of the most liberating and overwhelmingly nerve-wracking experiences a queer person can go through in their life. When you decide to tell to take the plunge, you're not just doing it once. Unless you've managed to…
7 Unexpected Ways My Life Changed When I Came Out
By Zara BarrieComing out of the closet is the best, most life-affirming, glorious, wonderful thing I've ever done in my entire life by far. And I've done some pretty cool sh*t. Coming out was better than any career move or any exotic vacation I've ever taken.…
10 Things I Wish I Would Have Known About Coming Out
By Merylee SevillaIt took me 25 years to be comfortable and honest enough to accept the fact I am gay. When you grow up in a conservative household where anything but straight is wrong, it's a hard truth to come to terms with. I dealt with questions like, "What would…
This Is What Happened The First Time I Told A Date I Was Trans
By Landon CohenAfter three-and-a-half years of being in a relationship, I found myself single again when I was 25. Heartbroken, alone, and terrified of dating. My mind would race with all the thoughts of having to explain my transition to another person with…
5 Tips On How To Surround Your Friend With Love & Support When They Come Out
By Hannah SchneiderHappy National Coming Out Day! Oct. 11 marks the 30th anniversary of the LGBTQ+ holiday, which recognizes and celebrates the process of coming out. Contrary to popular belief, coming out is not one isolated event for an LGBTQ+ person. Instead,…
6 LGBTQIA+ People Share The Most Rewarding & Most Difficult Parts Of Coming Out
By Elana RubinComing out and sharing your sexuality can be liberating, but also terrifying. You're allowing other people to know the most intimate parts of yourself, which can be rewarding. But you're also opening up in a way that could cause an influx of…
3 Queer Women Share How They Came Out To Guys Who Thought They Were Straight
By Elana RubinThere's this misconception that exists about being queer; it suggests that once you come out, you're done telling people you're not straight. That isn't true. Because assumed straightness is a thing, when you meet new people and if they think you're…
6 LGBTQIA+ People Reveal The 1 Thing They Want Allies To Know About Coming Out
By Elana RubinNational Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, is a time to celebrate and honor queer people's diverse coming-out stories. There's no one "right" way to come out, and no two people will have the exact same experiences. If you're LGBTQIA+ but not ready to share…
How To Be An Ally On Coming Out Day, According To An Expert
By Rebecca StrongComing out for the first time undoubtedly a pivotal moment in any LGBTQIA+ person’s life. The act of coming out can involve self-affirmation, opening up to loved ones, and fostering a feeling of belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. So it's fitting…
If You're Feeling Ready To Come Out In College, This Expert Advice Might Help
By Rachel ShattoIf you don't know anything about how to come out in college, you'd have a lot in common with my college-aged self. Back then, I knew I wanted to talk about my queerness, but I didn't have any idea how to go about it. As a result, I don't have a…
