Coming Out, Staying Close
Using the CCS to create a safe place to have the challenging conversations about coming out as LGBTQ
The following videos are provided as supporting material for the CCS Coming Out, Staying Close kit. The videos let you see first hand how the CCS cards are used in genuine LGBTQ related conversations. The amazing families you will meet have bravely and generously allowed us into their lives in the hope that their experience will help you and your loved ones with your LGBTQ conversations and journeys.
Introducing ...
Meet Jordan, Jody and Evan, three of the people who will share their stories and journey. Meet Susan and Aly, our facilitators for the conversations, and hear them share their personal LGBTQ story and how to use the CCS cards in your conversations.
Coming out
There are so many different ways you can ‘come out’. Every person is going to have their own story and advice from their experience. It’s often helpful to hear someone else’s story, so you can help to create the outcome you want for yours. You will hear some tips on coming out, as well as the CCS being used in a conversation about coming out.
Acknowledge feelings
Sharing something about yourself can be scary and make you feel really vulnerable. The person receiving the new information about you may be feeling a whole range of emotions too. Sharing and acknowledging these feelings can help you to clarify what is really going on, and help you to understand each other a little better.
Ask for what you need
Some people are so in tune with you that they just know exactly what you need, when you need it. The reality is, this is a rare thing. Most people need to know what you want to be able to help you in the best way. For positive relationships to grow, you need to be able to be open and ask for what you need. You also need to be able to listen and hear what they need from you too. Evan’s family share what they most need from each other during the transition
Affirm the person and the relationship
You are the same person you were before you had your coming out conversation. You may be a little more relieved, or you may feel more vulnerable, but ultimately, you are still you. It’s really comforting to have a conversation that affirms you and the relationship you have. You have a history together that can’t be erased, and you have a future together that you are starting to create in every moment. Use the opportunity to affirm each other, and your relationship.
Focus on the future
Looking forward can be useful to remind you that there is a future ahead for both of you, and it can be bright.
‘Choose one card that represents where you would like to see your family going in the future.’
How the CCS can help
Listen to what they say about using the CCS in conversation.
Diversity: acceptance and understanding
Using the Coming Out, Staying Close Kit for workplace diversity programs
Acceptance and understanding of diversity are built one conversation at a time. Research indicates that structured situations designed to promote mutual sharing of experiences and views, can lead to an increase in empathy and a reduction in prejudice.
However some of these conversations can be hard. Hard to start and hard to participate in. This is particularly true when considering diversity of gender and sexual orientation — LGBTQ.
CCS cards can be used by organisations to make it easier for its staff to have open, honest conversations about hard topics such as those around coming out and LGBTQ. The toolkit can be used within workplace teams to create safe situations to raise and share views and to promote mutual disclosure. It can also be made available to individuals identifying as LGBTQ to help improve their personal situation outside of the workplace.
It is known that organisations that are seen to be strongly supportive of diversity, in this case LGBTQ, find it easier to motivate their staff members to do the same.
With the Coming Out, Staying Close toolkit, organisations have both an appropriate way to show their support and provide their staff with a proven means to facilitate the vital conversations.
Find out more about the kit in our online store: