A Story about Coming Out:
"A seventeen-year-old person came out to his parents.  In addition to repeatedly telling their son that he was going to hell, his parents restricted him to the house, refusing to let him talk to any of his friends.  They also refused to contact LGBT resources, such as PFLAG, instead trying to change him.  This young man contacted Triangle Foundation for support via e-mail.  In addition to letting him know that he was not alone, we gave him contact information for several hotlines so that he could get immediate assistance if at risk."

Coming Out as an Adult:
"A woman who had been married to a man for almost ten years fell in love with another woman.  Her husband took their children, refusing to disclose their location to their mother.  The husband was awarded temporary custody, in part because the mother is a lesbian.  When this woman turned to her family for support and help, they abandoned her because she is a lesbian."

Coming out or coming out of the closet describes the voluntary public announcement of one's sexual orientation and gender identity. Being "out" means not concealing one's sexual orientation, usually a LGBT orientation. This idea contrasts with being closeted which means concealing one's orientation and identity. When one is "outted," he or she is having this information revealed, often without consent. Outing is the process of deliberately disclosing the sexuality of another who wants to keep this information private.

Coming out is different for every individual.  As society continues to progress and non-LGBT people have a better understanding of what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, coming out is being more and more accepted by families, friends, and communities.  Although acceptance is increasing, there is still some backlash from classmates and other individuals when people come out.  Triangle Foundation works with schools and employers on diversity trainings.  We educate people of any age on discrimination toward LGBT people.  We are here to serve those who victims of discrimination and hate after they come out.  Triangle Foundation also has a variety of community events that bring people out into the public, surrounded by other LGBT and allied people who care for them and share a similar story.

If you are coming out and would like to become more involved in our movement for equality, visit our volunteer page or if you're a student, become an intern!