COMING OUT
Coming Out Can be the
Single Hardest Decision in
an LGBTQ+ Person’s Life
Coming out can be defined as an
individual’s purposeful disclosure of
their sexual orientation or gender
identity, accompanied by their
internal process of self-acceptance.
The second part of that definition is
often forgotten: LGBTQ+ individuals
have to come out to themselves
before coming out to others. Yet
a shocking 700,000 LGBTQ+
Americans between 18 and 59 have
been subjected to “conversion
therapy”—the discredited practice
of trying to change an individual’s
sexual orientation or gender
identity or expression—more
than half during adolescence.
Worse, conversion therapy remains
legal in 41 states, including most
counties in Florida. Many LGBTQ+
individuals encounter obstacles to
coming out beyond fear, rejection
from loved ones and loneliness.
These include age, race, ethnicity,
religious views and socio-economic
status. Combined with our society’s
lingering homophobia and political
movements meant to limit or
reverse LGBTQ+ rights, these
barriers can seem overwhelming.
Highly rejected
LGBTQ+ people
are 8 times
more likely
to attempt
suicide.
26% of
LGBTQ+ youth
identify family
rejection as the
primary problem
in their lives.
Whether discussed secretly or celebrated publicly, coming out is a
major event in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. While the long-term
impact of coming out is generally positive, barriers to living an open
LGBTQ+ life endure: family rejection, the political polarization around
LGBTQ+ issues and harmful practices such as conversion therapy.
WHAT MUST BE DONE:
1 2 3
The Florida
Legislature
should pass
comprehensive
laws banning
the practice of
conversion therapy
on LGBTQ+ youth.
Central Florida
businesses, public
and private, should
provide or increase
access to LGBTQ+-
specific health, human
resource and support
programs for their
LGBTQ+ employees.
Educational
institutions should train
administrators and
teachers to understand
and address coming
out issues and how to
engage with LGBTQ+
transgender and gender
nonbinary students.
MORE
INFO:
PFLAG Orlando
www.PFLAGOrlando.org
UCF LGBTQ+ Services
sja.sdes.ucf.edu/lgbtq
Come Out with Pride
www.ComeOutWithPride.org
KindRed Pride Foundation
KindREDpride.org
/www.PFLAGOrlando.org
/lgbtq
/www.ComeOutWithPride.org
/KindREDpride.org