The psychology of coming out : a study of the difficulties faced by gay men when coming out to parents and an analysis of whether the process has changed in the past twenty years

Abstract

What is it like to come out to parents? This project is a look at what it is like for young gay men to reveal their sexual identity to their parents for the first time. It is a study of the psychology of the gay man in the build up to the revelation; the emotions and feelings experienced and the aftermath of revealing their true selves. Has anything changed over the past twenty years? Are the feelings any different now compared to then? Has the change in societal acceptance of homosexuality made the task any easier? Is it possible that society has changed enough to allow young gay men to feel safe and secure in the knowledge that they will be accepted by their parents regardless of their sexual identity. Young men share their experiences of coming out to their parents, the roller-coaster of emotions felt, the build up to actually being able to tell their parents and the aftermath of the experience.