I mean I understand of being proud of who you are. If it comes up in a conversation or something I have no qualms of stating what I am all about in that dept. But... I have never really gotten the point of the need to run about saying who one likes to sleep with.
2007-08-09 21:27:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
PHRED!
Hi phred.
2007-08-09 21:38:26 · update #1
Because sharing that aspect of themselves with others is important to their mental health. In fact, the process of identity development for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals called "coming out", has been found to be strongly related to psychological adjustment—the more positive the gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity, the better one's mental health and the higher one's self-esteem.
♂♂
2007-08-10 02:42:18 · answer #1 · answered by Tegarst 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can only speak for myself cause everyone views things differently. I have only "come out" directly to my closest friends, all within a couple years of realizing my sexuality. Everyone else that knows is because it just came up in conversation or they saw it listed on an online profile of mine, or something like that. I don't go around announcing it to everyone I am aquainted with.
The reason I felt the need to come out to my friends was because, for one thing, I wasn't entirely sure how they would react as I live in a really small, bigoted town, and I wanted to know if they were going be cool with it before I started going on about anything else in my love life. There was also the fact that at that time it was still really new to me and I wanted to have someone to talk to about it without having to wait for the right moment when the subject was just casually brought up. Plus, they were my close friends and I didn't want to feel like I was keeping secrets from them and hiding a part of myself.
That's why I felt the need to come out to a select few of the people closest to me.
2007-08-10 04:46:42 · answer #2 · answered by goldenrose82 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
One of the biggest motivators for me to come out was always being asked when I would bring a girlfriend home. The mindset of our societies is for people to assume that everybody was straight. When you don't act like many people think you should be acting, they start to pry and ask all kinds of questions.
In addition, hearing the hateful things that some people have to say about me and all other homosexuals prompted me to reject them vehemently and openly. Being gay is a part of who I am and there is no reason for anybody else to label me and make assumptions about what I should be doing.
In order to keep it a secret, I would have to lie on a regular basis. Simply denying their questions a response will only lead to more doubt and more questions. Rather than deal with that on a constant basis, I opted to set the record straight once and for all.
2007-08-10 05:02:17 · answer #3 · answered by geewillie 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not a matter of running around saying who you like to sleep with. Fundamentally, the actual sex part of your sexuality is no one's business and has nothing to do with being a lesbian or gay. It's simply that you identify as different from others.
I'm proudly out to my family and friends, but I don't go into detail about what I do behind closed doors, just as they don't go into detail.
2007-08-10 04:34:08 · answer #4 · answered by Zarathustra 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to tell everyone, I don't but at the same time I don't deny my sexuality if someone asks. For the most part who I sleep with is none of their business. It doesn't take long, however, once you have told someone for everyone to know. Most people love to gossip. If there is a chance your family will find out from other sources, it is best to tell them yourself - same with friends.
2007-08-10 04:33:04 · answer #5 · answered by tentofield 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I came out of the bisexual closet because I wanted my family to know the person that I love, I wanted to walk down the street holding my girlfriends hand and I wanted to go out for a romantic dinner for two without having to explain myself. I came out for personal reasons, not for a cause.
Edit: Hey Jamu, how is my favourite tongue today?
2007-08-10 04:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yea, same here. I don't walk up to someone and say, "Hey, I like girls!"
But if they ask or it comes up then I'll be honest. I don't care who knows. I just think it's odd to bring up randomly.
But some people really aren't happy unless they come out. It's all personal preference. They feel like they are hiding who they are if they don't come out, and I understand that.
To each his/her own.
2007-08-10 04:35:30 · answer #7 · answered by [192882] 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree- I have no objection to anyone having sexual preferences that are different from mine- but I don't want to be constantly bombarded with information about what people get up to in what are, after all, private encounters!
I wouldn't bore anyone with the details of my sex life!
2007-08-10 04:33:11 · answer #8 · answered by loobyloo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Standing up proudly in the face of hatred is a noble act that fosters self-esteem, respect and personal dignity.
Coming out is not so much about who you sleep with but self-awareness, self-respect and courage to be yourself, comfortable in the knowledge that you have nothing to be ashamed of.
2007-08-10 05:31:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because in a society like ours, in which people are so hateful towards homosexuals, they need the support. They need someone to talk to. Also, in a way, coming out is like coming to terms with yourself. Giving yourself closure and expressing how you feel.
2007-08-10 04:51:24 · answer #10 · answered by meghanhappy 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋