" coming out "

 [ "coming out" ]

1:  An awakening as to who you really are in terms of sexual orientation and attraction, which usually doesn't fit mainstream heterosexism. Coming out means figuring out that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, etc., and it happens in stages across a certain period of time. One aspect is coming out to yourself, a process that ends at some point.

  * e.g.,  ...  When Ethan realized he was bisexual, he came to understand and accept his sexual orientation by coming out to himself but not to anyone else. 

 [ "coming out" ]

2:  Deciding to tell certain people in your life that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, etc. This is a never ending process, because every time you move, change jobs, or make new friends you have to decide whether to share your sexual orientation or not. It's not always a good idea, because there is still prejudice and discrimination in workplaces.

  * e.g.,  ...  While Jennifer was coming out, she decided to tell her friends and queer acquaintances about her lesbian sexual orientation but not her parents or coworkers. 

 [ "coming out" ]

3:  Activists make public declarations about their sexual orientations as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, pansexuals, etc., not to solidify their identities or to determine if their friends are truly friends, but to reduce the invisibility of these marginalized identities by advocating for acceptance and affirmation in mainstream society.

  * e.g.,  ...  After many years of being accepted as a gay man at work, among his family and friends, and within himself, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, decided that his coming out would extend to a public declaration so he could use his good fortune and safe life to do something to help youth coming out into more dangerous situations. 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: When gay men and women and bisexuals can finally accept who they are and reveal their orientation to friends and family

  * e.g.,  ... A perfect example of someone coming out: 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: is the term used by lesbians, gay men and bisexuals to describe their experience of self discovery, self-acceptance, openness and honesty about their sexual orientation and their decision to share this with others when and how they choose.

 [ "coming out" ]

1: When a gay, lesbian, homosexual etc. reveals to the public that they are what they are.

  * e.g.,  ... Guy: "I am gay and proud!" 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: Revealing one's homosexuality to the public.

  * e.g.,  ... "I thought Steve was straight but I heard he just came out." 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: Coming out to yourself means you realize your sexual orientation is not what you thought. Coming out to others means you share that new information with friends and possibly family. Coming out to the public is done to make lesbian, gay, bisexual and other identities less invisible and to educate people.

  * e.g.,  ... Shaun is coming out to herself as bisexual but hasn't told anyone else yet. Elaine decided to included her mother in her coming out process so arranged a lunch meeting to confide that she is a lesbian. Tim wanted to do more for the community so coming out on a national talk show made his gay identity more visible. 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: when somebody of not straight sexual orientation reveals it to a person close to then

  * e.g.,  ... lesbian coming out lesbian girl:hey dad? i'm lesbian 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: A way to explain to your family or friends you’re anything but straight. Don’t do it during thanksgiving though-

  * e.g.,  ... Son:“Mom, dad, I’ve planned to tell you this for a while but, Im coming out to you as gay.” 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: What your dad will do after you drop out of college

  * e.g.,  ... You: "Dad I dropped out." 

 [ "coming out" ]

1: Revealing a clandestine relationship.

  * e.g.,  ... "None of their friends realized they were dating until the coming out."