How To Come Out At Work

Considerations

Coming out is when a person indicates that they belong to the LGBT+ community. It is about deciding whether or not to let people into your personal business, and if they do not make you feel safe, then understand that you are not obligated to tell them anything. 

Coming out at work can be scary, and with good reason, it is still legal to fire an employee simply because they are LGBT+ in most states. There is still no Federal Law to protect against employment discrimination in the United States, so you can be fired just for being LGBT+ in many instances. Before one comes out at work, consider the pros and cons.

Pros Of Coming Out At Work

• You no longer have to hide your life outside of work.
  
  
• It may end rude jokes or comments about LGBT+ people from co-workers.
  
  
• You may become closer to co-workers now that you are more open about yourself.
  
  
• Your confidence and job performance could improve.
  
  
• The stress of having to hide a part of yourself may go away.

Cons Of Coming Out At Your Job

• You may be fired.
  
  
• Some co-workers may treat you differently.
  
  
• Your co-workers may treat your partner differently than those of hetero, cis co-workers.

Make Sure You Are Ready

Before you come out at work, make sure that you are ready. Once you come out, you cannot go back into the closet.

• You should always hope for the best, but you must be prepared to receive adverse reactions from bosses or co-workers.
  
  
• Assess the situation. If you work in a homophobic, anti-trans environment, coming out will probably not make that go away.
  
  
• Are there other LGBT+ employees at your job? If so, try to connect with them and see how different bosses and co-workers have reacted to their coming out.
  
  
• Find out if your company has a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation.
  
  
• If you think someone who has power over you may react negatively, you may want to consider whether or not coming out is the right decision and whether you may want a different job.

A Great Resource For Further Assistance
The Human Rights Campaign / HRC.org

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