Coming Out to Parents, Relatives and Straight Friends - Page 5
13. Remember that the decision to come out is yours. Don't be guilt-tripped into it by people who think that everyone must come out or by snooping people who ask impertinent questions. You can usually decide when, where, how, and to whom you wish to come out. At this stage in our society, full public declarations about one's sexuality are not necessarily the best decision for most people.
14. Try not to let your family and close friends find out about your gayness from third parties such as neighbours or the media. Try to tell them personally beforehand.
15. Whenever you come out, reflect upon the experience and learn from it.
16. Never let yourself be pressured into coming out before you are ready.
17. Coming out is one of the most difficult things we do in our lives. It won't always go well, but most of the time it is a very freeing experience.
Adapted from a pamphlet found on The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transexual SIG of the National Capital Freenet, Ontario, Canada.
