The Psychology of Coming Out

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people come out to varying degrees. Some come out to certain people but not to others. Others come out to nobody at all. What are the factors that underpin coming -out decision-making? What does coming out feel like? How does coming out shape the lesbian, gay, or bisexual person's identity? Until now, dominant models of sexual identity development have largely overlooked the interpersonal process of coming out to somebody significant. None interrogate the implications of coming out for the total identity of the individual. In this elegant and original book, Rusi Jaspal proposes an integrative theoretical framework within which the psychological antecedents, consequences, and experiences of coming out can be collectively examined. Drawing on case studies and the first-hand accounts of over 500 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people regarding their coming out experiences, The Psychology of Coming Out: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identities forces us to re-think the notion that we now live a "post-gay era" in which coming out no longer matters. The book focuses on a range of themes in relation to coming out, including identity authenticity, interpersonal relationships, identity invalidation, rejection, microaggressions, gaslighting, and ghosting. With identity process theory at its heart, this book offers a novel theoretical lens for understanding coming out in lesbian, gay, bisexual people that incorporates three levels of analysis - the psychological, the interpersonal, and the societal. The Psychology of Coming Out: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identities promises not only a deeper understanding of coming out in lesbian, gay, and bisexual people but also pathways for enhancing psychological wellbeing before, during, and in the aftermath of coming out. This illuminating and thought-provoking text is an invaluable resource for students, academics, and practitioners interested in the psychological aspects of coming out. Rusi Jaspal is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) and a Professor of Psychology at the University of Brighton, UK. He is a Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.