Families of Origin, Relationships With

Family relationships among lesbian and gay adults and their families of origin are critical to consider in understanding a variety of related health outcomes for lesbian and gay individuals. Thus, this entry discusses the relationship dynamics of sexual-minority individuals and their families of origin, as well as their influence on physical and psychological health. In particular, research in this area has focused on the disclosure of one’s sexual-minority identity, or the “coming out” process, to parents.

Coming Out to Families of Origin

Sexual-minority individuals have been conceptualized as “family outlaws” even with ongoing trends toward greater acceptance of nonheterosexuality in the United States as well as in many places around the world. Coming out to families of origin is a rite of passage and formative event ...

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