Present day society is more accepting than ever before with people who are coming out of the closet. This being said, it is still not at all easy to do. If you or someone you know needs the support in this, keep reading for 6 tips to help someone finally step out of the closet and into the room.
1. Find comfort with yourself.
How do you expect others to be comfortable if you’re not? You get what you give, and if you are giving off general vibes of discomfort, so will everyone else. Be sure of yourself. When it comes to being you, you’re the only one who will know what is right and the first step is agreeing with yourself and being comfortable with who you are.
2. Tell the people who you know will love you unconditionally.
Sometimes it may feel like it is easier to come out to everyone at the same time. Whether it is with a Facebook post or an Instagram picture, tread lightly. Many people, including myself, would say tell the people who know you best and love you most in the world first. It is easier to find comfort in everyone else knowing when you are comfortable with the people closest to you. The people you tell first can help you through the process. While this transition is about you, you don’t want people feeling as if they are just another Instagram follower or Facebook friend. Show these people they matter and they will accept you with open arms and urge everyone else to do the same.
3. Remember the time period we live in today.
We are lucky to live in a time where the taboo is being a homophobe, not a homosexual. More often than not, people will not change their opinion of you when they find out. Even more often than that, they will not care who you are going home with at the end of the night (unless you’re going home with someone creepy, in that case, c’mon, standards). We live in a flexible society where anything goes. If they don’t accept you, they’re the ones making a jerk of themselves.
4. Be casual about it.
The bigger deal you make of it the bigger deal other people will make. If you show that there is no difference between you and your significant other in comparison to any heterosexual relationship, people will act the same. If you run around saying the sky is falling people will start to do the same. The calmer you are, the calmer the transition.
5. Don’t go through it alone.
Find someone who understands. Whether you are coming out already in a relationship or are single and ready to mingle, the process is much easier when it’s not done alone. The best is when there is somebody who has been through it before, they will give you all their warnings and all their trials and tribulations. It’s not as scary as it seems and anyone who has come out could tell you the same. At the end of the day, as cliché as it sounds, there is no better feeling than being 100 percent true to yourself.
6. You belong in the room.
Don’t let anyone let you believe that you belong in the closet. When it comes to telling people about your sexuality, if you are more comfortable in your own little secret, that’s fine, don’t forget about piece of advice #1. On the other hand, when you’re ready to come out don’t let things like “it’s just a phase” or “keep it to yourself” discourage you. You belong in the room, out, and ready to face the world.
On a different note:
Quite frankly, I know I am lucky. I know that not everyone has the opportunity to come out to a family who loves them unconditionally. I am not saying these above six steps are the only available options and I am certainly not saying everyone has the opportunity to come out this way. I am not preaching to you how to live your life because that's what we are trying to avoid anyways, right? I am just trying to show you it is okay to be comfortable, and it is more than encouraged to always be yourself in anything and everything you do. Show the world the beautiful you.
