Discussion: Coming Out

Learning Goal: I’m working on a social science discussion question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

Individuals who are coming out, or revealing their sexual and/or gender orientation to others, often feel very alone and isolated in their experiences, especially if they are not connected to a support network that is understanding and knowledgeable about the topic. This also can be true for the family members and close friends of individuals who are coming out, as they often face their own personal reactions to the coming out process as well.

In addition to the support they may receive through counseling during the coming out process, clients may benefit from connecting to local community resources designed to provide informational, emotional, and social support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families. As helping professionals, it is important to be aware of resources that are available within your community so that you can help your clients connect with these resources when they need additional support. Examples of resources include PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and CenterLink Member LGBT Community Centers, which have locations across the United States.

BY DAY 4

Post by Day 4 an explanation of two challenges LGBTIQ clients may face as they come out in their sexual orientation to others. Then describe the resource you identified that serves this population and provide a link to the resource’s website. Finally, describe the services this resource provides and explain how they would be helpful to clients and their families.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Levine, S. B., Risen, C. B., & Althof, S. E. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of clinical sexuality for mental health professionals (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

• Chapter 24, “The Gay Male” (pp. 294-309)

Diamond, L. M. (2014). Gender and same-sex sexuality. In D. L. Tolman, L. M. Diamond, J. A. Bauermeister, W. H. George, J. G. Pfaus, & L. M. Ward (Eds.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology, Vol. 1: Person-based approaches. (pp. 629–652). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Rosario, M., & Schrimshaw, E. W. (2014). Theories and etiologies of sexual orientation. In D. L. Tolman, L. M. Diamond, J. A. Bauermeister, W. H. George, J. G. Pfaus, & L. M. Ward (Eds.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology, Vol. 1: Person-based approaches. (pp. 555–596). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.