Gone are the days when hiding or staying inside the closet is the “ideal thing to do” — or is it?
Many members of the LGBT community are saying that coming out and being proud of one’s true self may be the best way to fully enjoy everything. There are others who are claiming that it can even help transform one’s life.
But for a “conservative culture” like in the Philippines, where the influence of religion and the opinion of the elders are greatly valued, should the idea of coming out be on the table whenever possible?
ONLINE DISCUSSIONS
On Facebook, discussions about this topic had attracted many users – where people from different walks of life share their reactions and thoughts about it.
One person said that the process of coming out is lifelong.
Another user posted a message saying that there is no right time or right way to do it.
And there were those who asked why some people express hate towards someone who chooses to stay in the closet.
MEDIA PORTRAYALS
At least in the recent months, the issue of coming out had also been one of the subjects of some of the non-fiction stories in the Philippine media.
For instance, on iWant’s “Beauty Queens” the topic was discussed in almost all six episodes.
Rica, the youngest child of Dahlia, came out as a transgender woman. It blindsided the entire family. Dahlia disowned her daughter after leaning it. While the oldest sibling, for the longest time, refused to call her “Rica”.
The plot thickened when it was revealed that Dahlia was in a relationship with another woman. And that she was just waiting for the right time to tell it to her family.
“Isa lang ibig sabihin nito, Mommy (This only means one thing, Mommy): You have been a practicing lesbian. But you rejected me when I came out. How could you?” Rica asked her mother.
In the Pinoy BL (boys love) web series “Gameboys”, the topic of coming out was also tackled in some episodes.
Cairo, one of the main characters, was partly blamed by his brother London for the health condition of their father.
“Dahil sa selfishness mo, nandito tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang pumasok sa isip mo at ginawa mo ‘yun (Because of your selfishness, we are in this situation. I do not know what you were thinking when you did that),” London said.
“Alam ko naman na kasalanan ko ito lahat. Araw-araw ko sinisisi ang sarili ko. Ako nga, ako nga ang may kasalanan. Hindi ko dapat ginawa ‘yun eh. Sana ako na lang. Alam ko, mali nga ako, kuya. Kuya alam ko mali ako, pero hindi ko ginusto ‘yung kay Papa. Hindi ko ginusto na magkasakit siya (I know that everything was my fault. I blame myself everyday. It was me, it was my fault. I should not have done that. I wish it was me. I know that what I did was wrong, but I did not want that to happen to Papa. I did not want him to get sick),” Cairo responded.
The story took a turn when he had a conversation with his mother after his father passed.
“Ma, I am sorry,” Cairo said.
“Why are you apologizing?” his mom asked.
“I am sorry I am gay,” Cairo answered.
“Cairo, do not be sorry. You do not need to apologize for being who you are. Kung dapat may mag-sorry dito, ako ‘yun. Anak, walang mali sa iyo. Ako ‘yung nagkulang (If there is anyone who needs to say sorry, it should be me. There is nothing wrong with you, son. I was the one who had shortcomings). I knew all along. I did not make an effort to gain your trust para maramdaman mo na puwede ka magsabi sa akin (I did not make an effort to gain your trust so you can feel that you can tell me), his mom said.
Coming out is one of the biggest and most important decisions any person will make. Finding the right moment can be as crucial as the decision itself.
READING THROUGH
Studies show that there are benefits in revealing one’s identity, including feeling good by the person coming out (i.e. he/she will experience less anger, less depression, and higher self-esteem).
“In general, research shows that coming out is a good thing. Decades of studies have found that openness allows gay people to develop an authentic sense of themselves and to cultivate a positive minority sexual identity,” said Richard Ryan, co-author of one such study.
It is also believed that when a person comes out, it will allow him/her to develop as a whole individual, have greater empowerment, and makes it easier to develop a positive self-image.
Another study also noted that when a person accepts his/her true self, it will not only bring happiness but can also be good for the health.
“Coming out might only be beneficial for health when there are tolerant policies that facilitate the disclosure process,” said Robert-Paul Juster, author of yet another study.
While there are countless positive effects of coming out, there are also some disadvantages when someone decides to leave the closet – to a name a few: bullying, harassment, rejection from society, and violence.
In a 2018 survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 65% of the 7,233 15-year-old respondents said that they were bullied at least a few times a month.
In a school setting, it is a known fact that someone who demonstrates a “different” behavior may be susceptible to bullying.
Coming out is one of the biggest and most important decisions any person will make. Finding the right moment can be as crucial as the decision itself.
DECIDING TO COME OUT
According to The Cass Theory by Vivian Cass, there are six stages that a person will go through when he/she decides to come out.
Stage 1 – Identity Confusion: This is where you begin to ask yourself if you identify differently than what you were assigned at birth.
Stage 2 – Identity Comparison: You start accepting the possibility that you may have a different gender identity and face social isolation that come with it.
Stage 3 – Identity Tolerance: Your acceptance of your new gender identity increases and you begin to tolerate it.
Stage 4 – Identity Acceptance: At this point, you have resolved most of the questions concerning your gender identity and have accepted it.
Stage 5 – Identity Pride: By this stage, you begin to feel proud of being part of the community.
Stage 6 – Identity Synthesis: Finally, you start integrating your gender identity in all aspects of yourself and life.
And in the end, this is what coming out is: A long — and sometimes endless — journey to finding oneself.
