Please note: This article will include a discussion about National Coming Out day, as well as resources and tips around coming out. If you are specifically seeking resources, they can be found at the end of this article under "Tips on Coming Out"

Today is National Coming Out Day.

For some folks today marks a day of sharing and celebration of their identities for the first time, or in a new way (i.e. coming out to your doctor). Congratulations to those of you who are able to have that experience today!

That being said, I think that in our celebration and in our pride we should recognize that coming out today, ,next week or next year, is not necessarily an easy or safe situation for all LGBT and queer individuals. Yes, being out and proud personalizes our struggles for allies and opponents while providng youth with positive role models.

However, for many members of our community being out can come come at a significant price. For some members of the community coming out can cause them to lose financial support that allows them to remain in school or with a roof over their head. For others, personal safety is even more of a concern than financial constraints. Fear of physical attacks from friends, family and community members can be a realistic concern particularly for youth of color who are 10-15% less likely to be out in their homes for fear of homophobic retaliation. In addition, fear of rejection by  a community of faith, if it does not support or believe in the existence of LGBT individuals may pressure an individual to remain closeted.

So, today when you are celebrating being out and serving as a role model for the LGBT youth in your life, please respect and understand others' choices to wait to come out. Because the complexities of our lives and identities do not make these choices easy.

If you are considering coming out, please see the tips below AND feel free to add any of your own comments, suggestions or support for folks going through the process in the comments below.

Tips on Coming Out:

Checkout GLISEN's article on deciding who to come out to, how that person will react and what to do if they do not react well.

Here is the "short" version of that article:

1. Think about who you want to come out to and why?

2. Before you come out to someone have a safety plan:

    -Who are adults and friends who will support you if it goes badly or you need someone to talk to after?

    -Could the person hurt you or cause you harm if you tell him or her?

    (If you are in immediate danger call 911; if you are a youth look for any location with a yellow and black     "Safe Space" sign; contact the Gay Alliance Anti-Violence Project to make a report/get in contact with an       advocate; Call: 585-244-8640 x17 or email: safe@gayalliance.org)

    -If you lose your housing what friends, family or shelters (like Center for Youth: (585) 271-7670) you         can you stay with?

    -Are there any financial repercussions? (i.e. losing your college fund?) Are you ready to handle those?

Also, if someone you have come out to has questions, refer them to our article National Coming Out Day Part 2, that is for people who have just learned someone they care about is LGBT.