What does it mean to “come out”?

What does it mean to “come out”?

Coming out as transgender may mean that you tell people about your preferred pronouns (if you wish to be referred to as he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.). It may also mean that you ask people to call you by a new name and to think of you by the gender identity that you’re comfortable with.

Coming out as trans is a very personal decision and different for everyone. Some people choose to come out before they medically or socially transition, and some choose to come out after or during the process. You may choose to come out to different people at different times, or to not come out to some people at all. All of this is okay — only you can decide what’s right for you.

Although both involve telling friends and family about your identity, there are differences between coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and coming out as transgender. A lot of people know what it means for a person to be gay, but there’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation out there about what it means to be trans.

And sometimes coming out or being outed as transgender can mean your identity is misunderstood, disrespected, or disbelieved.

If you choose to come out as transgender, make sure it’s to people you trust and that you have a support system in place. This can include friends, family, or a support group.  It’s important to feel as confident as possible that coming out won’t jeopardize your safety, health, or living situation.

Definition from: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/transgender