Coming out, staying true and celebrating the freedom in being yourself

Throughout June 2025, in celebration of Pride month, Gayther is running its Straight Talk campaign. Weekly media releases designed to highlight key aspects taking place around the world today. This release focuses on acceptance and coming out.

Throughout Pride Month, many LGBTQIA+ individuals around the world will find the courage to come out to their friends and family. No matter how loving and supporting a family may be, the biggest fear of many is the fear of rejection or being treated differently.

Those discovering this deeply personal aspect of a loved one or friend may feel hurt, betrayed, or even lied to, as they may have never shared this before. Though a valid response, it is less about withholding and more about them needing time and the courage to learn to accept who they are before they can share this truth with others.

"Coming out takes bravery as no one knows how people will react and what their new reality will be", says Peter Williams, co-founder of Gayther.

The process of acceptance for many is long, and even with the wealth of information and improved understanding of what it means, for many, their fears may not always be irrational or baseless.

In a study carried out by the charity Stonewall in 2018. entitled "LGBT in Britain: Home and Communities", of those interviewed, almost one in five LGBT people (18%) have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, and nearly half of LGB people (46%) felt there were unable to be open about their sexual orientation with everyone in their family.

"The reality and key point to always remember is that they are the same person, they have always been, the person you have always known and loved."

Being shocked, even upset, is okay because your friend or loved one has had time, even years, to come to terms with who they are. The important thing is to tell them that you love them, and it does not change how you feel about them. That you love and care for them and that you need time to process this new aspect of them.

Not all coming-out stories will be inspirational, but it is essential never to lose sight of the connection you have with each other and the fact that they feel you are important enough to them to share this deeply personal part of who they are. With time, you will find that you have a deeper connection, one where they can be themselves and where you can be part of all aspects of their lives.

Anyone planning to come out or who has recently had someone come out to them can find helpful tips in the article' Gayther Tips for Coming Out,' which can aid in the process of acceptance and courage in coming out.

"We must learn to accept who we are, take pride in ourselves, and if you feel the community does not reflect who you are, then become a force of change in the community ".

Life is short, and human connection and love are among the most important aspects of life's experience. So, neither you nor someone you love should feel afraid or scared of being themselves.

For more information about various sexualities, gender identities and special groups, visit Gayther's Pride in Series (https://gayther.lgbt/community/pride-in-series/).

SOURCE
• 2025 Gayther Population Index (https://gayther.lgbt/community/lgbtq-population/).
• Estimates based on the World Population Prospects 2025 population estimates and projections that the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat (https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/)
• Stonewall LGBT in Britain - Home and Communities (2018) (https://www.stonewall.org.uk/resources/lgbt-britain-home-and-communities-2018)

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Gayther LGBT is one of the largest online resources of LGBTQIA+ information. Tools and guides designed to be fun and easy to use, all within a platform offering positive content intended to inform, showcase and connect the global community and its allies. Home to a wide range of free services, including hundreds of detailed LGBTQIA+ travel guides, fun and games, articles and a dedicated social network known as Gayther Affinity.

This release was published on openPR.