Support and coming out 🌈

A kind welcome to everyone on this thread 💜

The theme of this event is pride month!

This month brings awareness and spreads conversation about the LGBTQ+ community and it's experiences, as a sub-community our focus is on spreading Postivity and gratitude in all areas of life, this can mean being supportive and creating a positive environment for people :)

As such we invite you to join in with a discussion about coming out and how to best support anyone who has or is this pride and beyond!

So, What is coming out?

Coming out is a common metaphor in the LGBTQ+ community for the action of disclosing the sexual orientation, romantic orientation or gender identity people have to those around them. Coming out comes in many forms such as sitting down and having a conversation, leaving a letter or even more creative ways such as videos!

Why may individuals in the community decide to come out?

Deciding to come out can be a milestone for many in learning to accept their identity and allow others to know the same. There can be many reasons for disclosing your identity to those around you, for each person it is individual, although some typical reasons can be for outward acceptance, to gain clarity in relationships, to receive support, or to be able to freely talk about things impacting that identity. For many it can be to parents, siblings, friends, classmates and colleagues although the list is quite large :)

Coming out can create freedom and... Danger

With acknowledging an identity with those around a sense of freedom in that identity can be created, as having those close to you know an identity will allow you to discuss it and gain both acceptance, support and normality which is important for progress! However that isn't the case for all who come out :( for many coming out brings valid danger such as getting kicked out of a home, being disowned, being fired, being discriminated, experiencing homophobia and transphobia, and more worrying experiencing abuse and harm. Disclosing lgbtq+ identities can allow for much, but it's personal and societal risks are important to acknowledge where families, social groups and societies shift in acceptance.

Why is it important to support those coming out/ have came out?

Coming out can be an emotionally and psychologically taxing experience. It can be daunting to be placed in an unknowing and scary position to see how loved ones react to a part of us, more than that the results of coming out can be call for celebration or support. As such, it's important to show people their identities are valid and they are supported after and during their coming out.

How can we support those coming out?

There are many ways to support people coming out! Whether it's producing a safe environment for them to talk about their story and experiences, providing valuable advice to stop them feeling alone, or simply being there through whatever happens, support can be crucial, both here on cups and beyond us 🌈

To reflect on this discussion, here are some questions!

1. What is the importance of coming out to you?

2. What are some ways we can support those coming out?.

3. Have you supported anyone coming out?/ What is your coming out story? 💜

Clickable links for the community and event (all links in blue are clickable! :))

-HERE is the masterpost for this event! (The P&G communities pride-month event!)

- HERE is the masterpost for June's events! (To join other events hosted this month)

- HERE is the link to more information on joining the community (if you'd wish to join or explore the community more :))

- HERE is the feedback form for the P&G community! Your feedback is very valuable in allowing the community to grow!