Coming Out

“Coming out” is a popular term for the acceptance of a certain belief about oneself or, more commonly, the communication of this self-belief to others. In early usage, coming out referred to a social event introducing an affluent young woman of marrying age to society. Currently, it usually refers to an individual's acknowledgment of his or her sexual orientation and/or disclosure of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity to others-for example, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI). It may also refer to disclosure of other types of personal information, especially that which is concealable and potentially stigmatizing, such as learning disabilities, health conditions, mental illness, drug/alcohol use, or criminal history. When applied to the disclosure of contextually devalued attributes, the phrase is sometimes lengthened to “coming out of the closet.” The decision not to come out is sometimes referred to as “passing,” as in “passing for heterosexual.” Individuals who decide to pass may be referred to as “in the closet.” The decisions that people make about disclosing personal information can have important personal and societal implications. For instance, women who publicly disclose personal information such as their religious beliefs or their sexual orientation have a profound impact on the role of women in today's society.

Some personal information such as race, gender, or height is generally directly observable to others. However, much personal information, such as health background, education level, or aesthetic preference, is not directly observable. Information of this type requires communication in order to be known. Thus, individuals must determine when and to whom they disclose this information. In some cases, they may decide to vary their levels of disclosure by context. For example, a woman could disclose information regarding a recent abortion, or a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy to her close friends but determine to keep that information private at work. In this way, she can manage how others perceive her in different contexts.

When an individual decides whether to come out in a certain context, he or she must weigh the costs and benefits associated with disclosure. This is especially true when the information is potentially stigmatizing and disclosure could expose an individual to discrimination, harassment, or even physical abuse. Depending on the context, however, coming out may help resolve potential confusion between one's personal, social, and occupational identities. It may increase access to social support, reduce the anxiety associated with trying to keep a part of one's identity concealed, and improve self-esteem. Coming out may also help change stereotypes regarding the disclosed subject matter and may even change attitudes (if applicable) toward a minority group as a whole.