Comments on: Is coming out always best? https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/06/20/is-coming-out-always-best/ A [retired] college psychology professor's observations about public policy, mental health, sexual identity, and religious issues Wed, 30 May 2018 19:11:51 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Zoe Brain https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/06/20/is-coming-out-always-best/#comment-87532 Wed, 30 May 2018 19:11:51 +0000 http://wthrockmorton.com/?p=9514#comment-87532

By teasing out the effects of different contexts, this study shows that “environment plays a huge role in determining when coming out actually makes you happier,” says Nicole Legate, a doctoral student at the University of Rochester, who led the study with Ryan and Netta Weinstein from the University of Essex in England. Among accepting groups, individuals experience significant psychological payback from being open about their sexual identity. But among hostile groups, the costs and stigma of identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual cancel out these benefits.
In judgmental contexts, “those who come out may actually feel no better than those who conceal,” says Legate.

]]> By: Zoe Brain https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/06/20/is-coming-out-always-best/#comment-87533 Wed, 30 May 2018 19:11:51 +0000 http://wthrockmorton.com/?p=9514#comment-87533 Stephen – I’m no christian. I also don’t know your circumstances. Forgiveness requires repentance and restitution too.
But.. “Forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us”.
You survived him – so you’ve had your revenge. If he’s willing to ask forgiveness, then I ask you to accept his apology, not that I have any right to ask you for anything.
In my experience, Life’s too short not to forgive. I hope to be forgiven for my own failings, I have enough of them, but hope is all it is. All I can do is try to deserve forgiveness, whether granted or not.

]]> By: Zoe Brain https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/06/20/is-coming-out-always-best/#comment-87536 Wed, 30 May 2018 19:11:51 +0000 http://wthrockmorton.com/?p=9514#comment-87536 The average age that Gay kids are kicked out of home in 14 years. The average age Trans kids are kicked out of home in 13 years and 5 months.
Coming out can lead to assaults, and in extreme cases, rape and murder by parents. We know from testimony by Trans kids who survived attempted murder that some at least of those who “run away from home” are killed, and their bodies secretly buried. Honour killings don’t just happen overseas.
In highly religious families, the danger is far, far greater.

]]> By: stephen https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/06/20/is-coming-out-always-best/#comment-87518 Wed, 30 May 2018 19:11:51 +0000 http://wthrockmorton.com/?p=9514#comment-87518 The single most important aspect of our great victory in NY is the fact that men and women came out to their families who could no longer support laws that vilified them. Our legislators heard from their families and could no longer defend their prejudices. So yes, coming out is always good.
If your family can’t handle it then leave them in the dust. I had to do that with my father. My husband tries to make me make up with him but I never will. I was defenseless and he tried to destroy me.
Those who live their lives honestly always feel better than those shivering in the closet.

]]> By: Teresa https://wthrockmorton.com/2011/06/20/is-coming-out-always-best/#comment-87523 Wed, 30 May 2018 19:11:51 +0000 http://wthrockmorton.com/?p=9514#comment-87523 Zoe stated:

I’m no christian. I also don’t know your circumstances. Forgiveness requires repentance and restitution too. …
All I can do is try to deserve forgiveness, whether granted or not.

It continues to amaze me that many non-Christians act more in accord with true Christianity than most of us Christians.
Why is that? Where have we gone wrong?

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