Coming Out

Coming out can be the pinnacle coming of age moment for many LGBTQ+ people, changing the course of one's life trajectory in a single moment. Here we discuss the different outcomes of our coming out stories and how they have impacted our lives to the present moment. 

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Body Dysmorphia

Body dysmorphia is prevalent globally and particularly significant in the queer community. Due to struggles with fitting into societal norms, many overcompensate, leading to a higher rate of body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) in the gay community.

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Practicing being Non-judgmental

Practicing non-judgmental behavior is crucial for a fulfilling life. The LGBT+ community often faces judgment from family and society, leading to increased self-judgment and judgment of others. To combat this, we aim to practice the acceptance we desire for ourselves.

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Sex for Validation

Many in the LGBT+ community seek validation through sex due to low self-esteem from societal and familial rejection. Instead of enjoying sex, they use it to gain external validation, which can lead to sex addiction among other issues.

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Alternative Relationship Arrangements

Many LGBT+ individuals engage in alternative relationship arrangements like polyamory, open relationships, and friends with benefits. Navigating these non-traditional relationships presents unique challenges.

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Loneliness

Loneliness is an issue that plagues many people in the Queer community. Because many have been isolated as a result of being rejected, it can be challenging to conquer one’s loneliness and look for community, relationships, and feel confident outside the confines of themselves.

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Oppression

Legislation has often made life difficult for the LGBT+ community, with many regions lacking legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. This results in widespread oppression and prevents LGBT+ individuals from living equally fulfilling lives compared to their cis-heterosexual counterparts.

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Facade of Perfection

The "Facade of Perfection" involves LGBT+ individuals overcompensating to mask aspects of their lives, often through lavish displays of riches or striving for the perfect body, or surrounding themselves with “beautiful people”. This behavior hides their low self-esteem stemming from rejection.

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Gender Roles

LGBT+ individuals often express gender roles differently, leading to bullying and discrimination from a young age. Additionally, being taught only cis-heterosexual gender roles creates new dynamics within queer relationships.

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