The Love Coach

If you’ve finally decided to come out to your friends and family, it can be a potentially nerve-racking and possibly awkward situation for all involved. Luckily, there are thousands of others who’ve gone through the experience before you who have some helpful relationship advice and pointers on making it a happy and liberating experience. Here are 100+ resources we’ve put together to help you get the guidance you need to come out and start living life openly.

Helpful Articles

Get guides to coming out and learn what to expect from friends and family in these articles.

1. Tips for Coming Out to Your Kids: If you’re an adult who has children and is finally ready to come out as a gay or lesbian, then check out this guide from COLAGE. It can give you the strength and understanding you need to come out to your family.
2. Coming Out Tips for Queer Teens: The Heath Resource Center at Our Bodies Ourselves provides this article that can help give you some guidance in coming out to those around you.
3. 24 Coming Out Tips: This humorous and helpful article can be a fun and informative way to learn the dos and don’ts of coming out.
4. Tips for Coming Out on National Coming Out Day: Celebrate this annual holiday by coming out with some help from the tips in this article.
5. Coming Out: Step-By-Step: Learn the steps you’ll need to go through to come out to friends and family by taking a look at this article from About.com.
6. Advice on Coming Out to Your Parents: Telling your parents can be one of the hardest steps in coming out so read this article by a woman who just did it herself and can offer some insight.
7. How Do I Say This? Coming Out: This video from MTV provides some simple advice on coming out to your parents.
8. Coming Out to Parents, Relatives and Straight Friends: This article from GayCity USA gives some helpful pointers on things you’ll need to consider before coming out.
9. Coming Out and Staying Out: Gay and bisexual men can use this guide to ease their transition to being openly gay.
10. How to Come Out at Work: Coming out to your coworkers can be a tricky matter, so get some help from this TimesOnline article on how to manage the situation.
11. How to Come Out as a Gay or Lesbian Teen: Being a teenager can be hard enough without adding the question of your sexuality into the mix. This eHow guide can give you some tips on making it a little easier.
12. Choosing the Right Time to Come Out of the Closet: Read this story of a young woman who struggled with the right time for her to admit to friends and family that she was a lesbian.
13. A Beginners Guide to Coming Out: Learn the basics of coming out from this helpful guide.
14. TomCrew’s Guide to Coming Out: This site can give you some advice from someone else who’s gone through the same process.
15. What Does Being Gay Mean?: Get some assistance in coming to terms with your sexuality from this article from HealthyPlace.com.

Websites

Check out these websites for loads of resources to help you come out and find your place in the gay community.

16. PlanetOut: This site pulls together news on the gay community from sites all over the Web. You can find many useful and informative resources here.
17. Empty Closets: Check out these resources for coming out and enjoy their chatroom and forums as a safe place to ask your questions and get answers.
18. About.com: Coming Out: Here you’ll find loads of articles that can help educate you on the coming out process.
19. Gay Student Center: College students who are openly gay or who are thinking about coming out can find resources and support on this site.
20. All Things Gay and Lesbian: Here you’ll find a wide range of resources from lists of celebrities that are openly gay to tips on coming out.
21. LGBT Seniors: Older people looking to come out or find others in their age range to talk with can employ the resources from this site.
22. The Gay Youth Corner: Young people with questions about their sexuality can find answers and support on this stie as well as chat and participate in forums.
23. Family Acceptance: If your family is having trouble coming to terms with your sexuality, direct them towards this site which helps even religious parents understand and learn to support their gay children.
24. GLBT National Help Center: Check out this site for free email or telephone counseling and information on where you can find local support and resources.
25. The Closet Light: Read an inspirational poem and get motivation to come out on this site.
26. I Thought I Knew You: This site can be a valuable resource for your friends who may not know how to react to your news.
27. Coming Out 101: Join this site to get help whether you’ve just come out or are thinking about doing it soon.

Organizations

These organizations are dedicated to helping GLBT people from all over the world when coming out, finding employment and much more.

28. Human Rights Campaign: On this organization’s site, you’ll find a host of resources including coming out guides, opportunities to read the stories of others who have come out and a FAQ section.
29. OutProud: Check out this site to read the stories of those who’ve come out, find articles and find support in your community.
30. OutFront: This Minnesota based organization can provide help and assistance to those within the state to make coming out an easier experience.
31. PFLAG: Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays can be a great resource to direct your friends and family to to help them understand and come to terms with you coming out to them.
32. GLAAD: The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation can be a great place to look for resources to help you fight against defamation and prejudice because of your sexual orientation.
33. Safe Schools Coalition: This organization is dedicated to helping ensure GLBT children and educators have a safe and secure school environment. On the site, you’ll find helpful information about coming out that can make it easier to explain your decision to others.
34. Out for Equity: Check out this site for coming out resources and information on making educational environments safe for everyone.
35. The Coming Out Project: While based in Forth Worth, Texas, this organization can still provide some inspiring stories and resources to those looking to come out.
36. Gay Teens Resources: Find loads of help and assistance in coming out and living as a gay teen around the world.
37. GLSEN: The Gay and Lesbian Straight Education Network can help provide resources to aid your friends and family in understanding and accepting you.
38. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: This organization, founded in 1973, fights for equality for the GLBT community. You can also use the site as a place to find information on a number of issues that may become increasingly important to you after you come out.
39. Contact Crisis Line: If you’re feeling depressed or upset about your decision to come out, don’t go through it alone. Give this crisis line a call for a friendly ear to listen.
40. The Triangle Foundation: This Michigan-based group works to fight for equality and acceptance of gays and can provide you and your family with some helpful reading material.
41. Gay? Fine By Me: Encourage your friends to join this organization. They’ll learn how to support you as you come out and get the word out about more acceptable attitudes towards homosexuality.

Blogs

Share in the experiences of others who’ve come out in these informative and sometimes humorous blogs.

42. Debriefing the Boys: New England student Matt has just come out and his blog follows him as he discovers what it means to be gay.
43. My Journey Out: Follow this middle aged man as he finally comes out and chronicles the experience in his blog.
44. Coming Out 101 Blog: This helpful website also contains a blog which posts humorous entries on living life as a gay or lesbian individual.
45. Happily Hers: Check out this blog created by a same sex couple who just got married and have written about the process, and it’s adjustments on their blog.
46. Coming Out Strong: Here you can find helpful posts that can assist you in finding the strength to come out.
47. Closer to Fine: The author of this blog didn’t come out until her 40s. You’ll find quotes, personal insights and more.
48. Relentless Egomania: This blog contains a wide variety of posts but you’ll find commentary on gay relationships and issues with coming out as well.
49. My Gay Life: This blog focuses on one man’s process of coming out.
50. Queersighted: This blog is full of news and views about the gay and lesbian community.
51. LGBT Book Blog: Find some suggestions on reading and viewing materials that can help you come out and adjust to life in the gay community on this blog.
52. Coming Out from Behind the Badge: Law enforcement officers can face some unique challenges when coming out. Read about them here and a variety of other issues.
53. Opening the Door:Follow this blogger as he takes steps to becoming openly gay.
54. Emerging Butterfly: This blogger went from a heterosexual marriage to being a secure, independent lesbian mother. You can read about her story here.
55. Jamie Baillie’s Coming Out Page: Check this blog for updates from a newly openly gay man.

Books

Make a few additions to your bookshelf so you’ll be prepared for every eventuality when you come out.

56. Living In Sin?: This book, written by a Bishop John Selby Spong, explains why he thinks the church has the wrong attitude about gays. It can be a valuable read for those struggling to integrate their faith and sexuality.
57. My Child Is Gay: Parents share their stories of their reactions to their children coming out in this powerful book. Give it a read before coming out to your own parents.
58. Coming Out to Parents: A Two-Way Survival Guide for Lesbians and Gay Men and Their Parents: Both you and your parents can benefit from this book, which acts a guide for those looking to come out.
59. Free Your Mind: The Book for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth and Their Allies: Young GLBT individuals should give this book a read for help and information on coming out, living as a openly gay person, and helping family and friends to adjust.
60. Outing Yourself: How to Come Out as Lesbian or Gay to Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers: Coming out is never easy, but this primer can give you the guidance you need to get through it.
61. Boys Like Us: This book focuses on sharing some heartbreaking and happy stories about young men who have come out.
62. Now That I’m Out What Do I Do?: Once you have come out to your friends and family what happens next? This book can help you get started living your life as an openly gay individual.
63. Becoming Visible: A Reader in Gay and Lesbian History for High School and College Students: Learn about gays and lesbians throughout history in this informative book.
64. My Child Is Gay: How Parents React When They Hear the News: Take a look at this book to learn the variety of ways parents can react when they find out their son or daughter is gay, so you won’t be totally surprised at your own parents’ reactions.
65. Coming Out of Shame : Transforming Gay and Lesbian Lives: The authors of this book are life partners who do their best to explain how gays can escape the shame they often feel at being who they truly are.
66. Lesbian Epiphanies: Women Coming Out in Later Life: If you’ve finally realized that you are a lesbian in your later years give this book a read for some helpful guidance.
67. Coming Out Within: Stages of Spiritual Awakening for Lesbians and Gay Men: Learn to embrace the spiritual elements of coming out with some help from this book.
68. Figuring It Out: This book follows the life of one real-life lesbian as she struggles to come to terms with her sexuality and come out over the course of 9 years.

Coming Out Stories and Advice

On these sites you can get inspiration and advice from the thousands of others who’ve come out to friends, family and coworkers.

69. London-Boy’s Diary: This online diary chronicles the story of a young man in London as he comes out to his friends and family.
70. In Memory of Bill Clayton: Read this mother’s touching story about her son, Bill, who came out and was the victim of a hate crime in his home town and eventually committed suicide. The story is part of a youth organization dedicated to protecting and supporting other young men and women who want to come out.
71. Coming Out: My Story: This Australian man tells his story of a life spent questioning his sexuality and his eventual coming out.
72. The Deaf Queer Resource Center: Our Stories: Here you can read and watch the stories of dozens of deaf individuals who have come out. Some of them are in sign language and others are written in English.
73. How Do I Say This?: Post your problems and concerns with coming out on this site and get helpful answers and responses from others.
74. Lesbian Herstory Archives: At this organization you can read the stories of the lives of hundreds of lesbians, from coming out, to raising a family.
75. Where Girls Kiss Girls: Coming Out Stories: Here you can read the stories of dozens of lesbians and get hope and guidance for when you come out to your family and friends.
76. Spinner Coming Out Stories: Get the background on how numerous rock and rollers have chosen to come out in this blog series.
77. Gay Stories: Coming Out: Give this site a read for stories of individuals who came out to supportive friends and others that didn’t go quite as planned.
78. Logo Coming Out Stories: Watch videos that tell the stories of numerous others who’ve taken the plunge and come out.
79. Lesbians Coming Out Stories: Ladies looking for a little inspiration to come out can find it in these stories on About.com.
80. OutZoneTV Coming Out Stories: Check out this site to watch videos from some familiar faces on how they told friends and family they were gay.
81. GayBombay Coming Out Stories: Here you’ll get to hear about the experiences of numerous people as they came out.

Forums and Support Groups

Get support, ask questions and chat with others on these great sites.

82. ConverseBoards: Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Forum: Share tips and experiences coming out on this board as well as finding support and advice from others in the community.
83. Qnet Discussion Board: Qnet is an online community for gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered and intersex people under the age of 25 and you’ll be able to talk with others within the GLBT community on this site.
84. Coming Out Yahoo! Group: On this site you’ll be able to enjoy support in chat rooms, forums and more.
85. Out Everywhere: Chat with others in the GLBT community on this site which also provides a social networking forum and listings of various events around the world.
86. Healthy Place Coming Out Forum: There are loads of posts here for you to read and if you join you can post threads of your own.
87. CampusBlues I’m Coming Out: Meet with others who are contemplating coming out on this college age forum.
88. Daily Strength Coming Out Support Group: You’ll get support and guidance from others in your same situation on this helpful site.
89. The Gay Dads Group: If you’re a father who has come out or is questioning your sexuality join this group to get the support and understanding you need.
90. Straight Spouse Network: Those who are married and must break the news of their homosexuality to their spouse can direct them to this site which can provide the support and resources they’ll need to come to terms with things.
91. OutMinds: This site can be a great way to network with others in the GLBT community and talk in an easy-to-use social network format.
92. All Experts: Post your questions about coming out and being gay on this site and get advice from experts.
93. ChadzBoys: Here, gay men can ask their questions, get support and browse the other features of this site.
94. QueerID Forums: Check out these forums to chat with others about GLBT issues and get advice on coming out.

Miscellaneous

Check out these sites for a variety of issues related to coming out and dating.

95. Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual TV Characters: Check out some of these TV shows and characters for inspiration and insight to coming out and living as a gay man or woman.
96. National Coming Out Day: This October 11th holiday helps raise awareness about gay and lesbian issues.
97. Out of the Closet TV: Go here to watch videos on a range of gay and lesbian topics.
98. A Letter to Louise: Those struggling to reconcile their sexuality with a Christian upbringing and teachings in the bible will appreciate reading this letter written by Pastor Bruce Lowe to one of his parishioners.
99. The Rainbow Therapist: If you’re having issues coming to terms with coming out or being homosexual, consider some therapy. This therapist specializes in GBLT support and can direct you towards help and support groups.
100. American Psychiatric Association: Back in the less enlightened days, being gay used to be considered a mental illness. Read this article from the APA to reassure yourself that there’s nothing wrong with the way you feel.
101. The Trevor Project: If you are in any way feeling suicidal about issues due to your sexuality, please read this page and get in contact with this organization before you do anything drastic.

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