5 Tips For Coming Out At Work

Loving your job is not just about finding passion in your daily tasks and projects. It is also about feeling comfortable in your own skin and showing your authentic self to your peers. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, this step might seem a bit more tricky, whether because your organization is not as inclusive as you would want it to be or you haven’t fully figured out your coming out journey yet.

Coming out is a deeply personal decision, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to do or say anything you don’t want to. However, if you are planning on coming out to your colleagues and managers, here are some tips that might help you along the way.

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Find colleagues you feel comfortable with

Do you have any colleagues that you find easier to talk to? Do you share any intimate moments or conversations with them? If so, these might be the first people you might want to confide in. If they seem like supportive and open-minded peers, they will certainly embrace who you truly are and help you feel more comfortable in the workplace. Just start off easy: either mention your partner in a conversation or talk about a funny situation you’ve encountered in the LGBTQ+ community.

Check for DE&I initiatives in the organization

Many companies nowadays have worked strongly in fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, especially since the #BlackLivesMatter movement in 2020. You might find your organization has already implemented some Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or even worked on campaigns for Pride Month. Talk to either your manager or someone from HR and try to figure out if there’s an existing support group that will help you in this journey.

Take it one step at a time

It is important to remember that coming out is not one static transition that goes from point A to point B. As you grow up, you might discover new things about yourself or figure out some topics you feel more comfortable talking about. Do not rush the process. You do not have to go into detail about every single aspect of your personality or sexuality. Focus on what makes you feel good about yourself and what you can do to uplift others.

Reach out for help if you need to

Uncovering new parts of yourself and embracing them is not a linear process. As such, don’t think you should go through it by yourself alone. If you think coming out in your organization is still a difficult task, try finding help outside of the workplace. Are you close to your parents? Do you have a therapist you can reach out to? Do you follow any LGBTQ+-related organizations online? Any of these can be of important help if things seem a little dark.

Foster a culture of mutual support

As we’ve covered so far, coming is made a lot easier when there is trust and support in the environment and people around you. So how can you return the favor? Even if you’re not ready to discuss your sexuality yet, you can still take a stand by showing a relaxed, non-judgemental state of mind. When people trust in you, they will feel more comfortable in being themselves around you, which might, in turn inspire you to accept yourself.