Search results
Feb 24, 2024 · Always Thank Them for Sharing. No one’s obligated to tell you anything about their life, and it’s an incredible honor when someone chooses to confide in you. Show them that you recognize what this means and how important it is by thanking them for sharing. You can say something as simple as, “Thank you so much for telling me.”.
- Overview
- Responding in the Moment
- Making Your Friend Comfortable
Coming out can be one of the most significant events in your friend's life but also the most terrifying. Showing your support and embracing your friend’s honesty lets them know they came out to the right person—after all, the best thing you can do is be there for them! In this article, we’ll teach you how you can respond when a friend comes out of the closet. We’re here for you, and you’re there for them, so keep reading to learn what you should and shouldn’t say if a friend says they’re gay.
Appreciate that your friend has trusted you enough to be their authentic self.
Be kind, honest, and positive to support your friend.
Let your friend share details and come out to others at their own pace.
Thank your friend for telling you.
Coming out of the closet can be a big and risky decision. Your friend may worry about how those closest to them will react, so let them know you value their trust and honesty.
Show your friend that you appreciate them and their courage with a hug or sweet “thank you.”
“Thank you so much for telling me! It’s an absolute honor being your friend.”
“Coming out can’t be easy, but I’m so glad you trust me enough to share your true self with me.”
“Thank you for trusting me with this.”
Be yourself around your friend.
Every person is different, and every relationship is different. When someone comes out, they’re looking for support, validation, and acceptance; they don’t want their news negatively affecting their relationships. Rather than putting on an act, just be yourself!
If you and your friend are jokesters, ease their worries with a casual inside joke.
If you and your friend enjoy serious conversations, ask them to tell you more about their identity as long as they’re comfortable.
Focus on your friend’s needs in the situation, letting them laugh, cry, or be quiet.
Try not to pry into their personal life. Chances are, they’re still processing their emotions and feelings. Coming out isn’t easy, and they’ve trusted you with their identity. Instead of begging for details, be polite, considerate, and respectful. If your friend says they’re not ready to share something, that’s okay. Let them disclose things at their own pace.
Let the person know you appreciate them trusting you. You can say something like, “Thank you for trusting me with this information.”. “If someone decides that they feel confident enough and they trust you, it’s a gift,” Shimkin points out. She adds that you can also ask the person how they’re feeling about sharing.
May 16, 2024 · At the same time, try and be sensitive about how they are feeling. It will have taken them a lot of courage to talk to you about this, so try to be as supportive as possible. Most people who come out have put a lot of thought into it before telling someone, so it is important to take it seriously. Try and let the person explore their gender ...
Oct 11, 2021 · Follow their cues here. If they sit you down to share their update, you’ll want to meet the gravity of the moment. “One thing you can do to help a friend coming out is simply to acknowledge ...
Jun 25, 2020 · Don't make the conversation about you. If someone comes out to you, you have a responsibility in that moment to make space for them. "They probably trust you a great deal and they're being very ...
People also ask
Should you ask someone if they're coming out for the first time?
How do you say thank you if someone is coming out?
What if someone comes out to you?
How do I come out to someone close to me?
How do you respond to a coming out situation?
Should you wait for someone to come out to you?
Do make sure that they know where to get support and help them if they don’t Do use gender neutral language Do ask about preferred name and pronouns if appropriate Do get informed and knowledgeable Do challenge homo/trans phobia Don’t minimise their coming out e.g. by saying you ‘already knew’ or that ‘it’s
