What does it mean to “come out”?
Coming out is the process in which a person first acknowledges, accepts and appreciates his or her sexual orientation or gender identity and begins to share that with others. Coming out is a continuous process and can oftentimes be risky or difficult.
Opening up to the possibility that you may be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or even just questioning means opening up to the idea that you’re on a path that’s your own. It’s also why coming out and living ever more openly is a profoundly liberating experience.
See our Resource Guide to Coming Out for more information: http://www.hrc.org/about_us/7092.htm