Coming Out . . .

Youth/Teen Resources . . .
(Adult Resources)

The Coming Out of a Lesbian's Mother
This is the story of my learning and accepting that my daughter is a lesbian. I publish it here in the hope that 1) it will help other parents to accept their child's sexuality; 2) it will help young lesbians and gays to understand their parents' reactions to learning that their child is homosexual; and 3) it will be used by gays and lesbians who are just coming out as a conversation-starter with their parents, a way of saying "I'm gay and I desperately need you to understand."  It's a long essay. Please feel free to print it out to read at your leisure or to pass along to someone if you think it might help them to understand.

Read This Before COMING OUT TO YOUR PARENTS
KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT
The purpose of this is to inform gay and lesbian young adults about the process most parents go through when their child's homosexual orientation is disclosed.

I THINK I MIGHT BE A LESBIAN ... NOW WHAT DO I DO? A Brochure for Young Women Information written by lesbian youth for lesbian youth and young women questioning their sexuality

PFLAG -- Questions and Answers for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth -- BE YOURSELF

ABOUT COMING OUT Information for men and women about telling others of their sexual orientation. 

All the facts about gay people
[Courtesy RFSL pamphlet "Lesbian and Gay -- The Swedish Way"]

Coming Out Introduction -- For too long we have been told that we must hide our homosexuality.  We have been asked to live a lie. We have been forced to lead double lives. We have been told by our homophobic society to deny who we really are and whom we really love.

DO YOU KNOW A LESBIAN? As women's organizations and other progressive groups endeavour to address the diversity of the Canadian community and to seek to open themselves to a broad range of concerns, a frequently invisible minority speaks out. We are lesbians. We are in most of your families. We are your daughters, your sisters, your friends and your mothers. You know us and love us, whether you realize it or not. We struggle alongside you, often on issues that touch your lives far more than they touch ours. As we have supported you, it is time for you to support us. 

EACH CHILD THAT DIES -- Gays and Lesbians in Your Schools by Wiggsy D. Sivertsen, L.C.S.W. and Terri B. Thames, Ph,D. All forms of prejudice are based on ignorance and misconceptions and there are many misconceptions and much ignorance about gays and lesbians. If we are to ever effectively eradicate the pain caused by discrimination, we must recognize that we perpetuate prejudice by only addressing those issues that are familiar, i.e. race, ethnicity, gender, and sometimes disability. In so doing, we are effectively saying that discrimination is in fact acceptable and it is only certain groups that are to be protected. The deafening silence that pervades the issues facing lesbian and gay children and adolescents results in leaving these children to fend for themselves in a hostile and brutalizing environment.

Outpath Resources -- the OutProud Coming Out Archives!

The Coming Out Archives were created to provide you with the benefit of the experiences of the millions of others who have found the right words on their own journeys. Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don't – whatever the results, they're here for you to see. The stories that make up the archives are personal and document the lives of others just like you. We invite you to explore the richness of experience that makes up our community, and hope that it helps you on your own journey.

• Teen Coming Out Story -- Michelle is a lesbian teen of African descent who lived in a small city or town in Florida in the United States of America in 2001, when this story takes place. She was 19 years old when she came out to everyone, who's reaction was good. Read Michelle's story.
   
• Teen Coming Out Story -- Michelle is a lesbian teen of African descent who lived in an urban area in North Carolina in the United States of America in 2001, when this story takes place. She was 15 years old when she came out to her best friend, who's reaction was very good. Read Michelle's story.
   
• Teen Coming Out Story -- Jessica is a lesbian teen of African descent who lived in a small city or town in Maryland in the United States of America in 2001, when this story takes place. She was 14 years old when she came out to her friend, who's reaction was good. Read Jessica's story.

Webzines for Youth

Black LGBT Youth
Oasis Magazine
Elight -- Making a difference for GLBT and questioning youth and young adults.
 

Resources from Parents And Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

PFLAG -- PFLAG's Vision
We, the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in, and hope to realize this vision.

For Family and Friends -- If you're like many people, your first reaction to learning that your loved one is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered is "How will I ever handle this?" Most people aren't prepared for the words, "I'm gay."

Our Daughters & Sons: Q&A for Parents of GLBT People.  A booklet (in PDF format) produced by PFLAG.  Requires Adobe Acrobat viewer.

Other Publications by PFLAG
Our Trans Children

American Psychological Association: Q&A About Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality

Dos and Don'ts for Families & Friends

Find a PFLAG chapter near you