Perks of Coming Out of the Closet:From the Perspective of LGBTQ Individuals

In a developing country of 3rd world like India there exist strong negative attitudes towards homosexuality. Sexual orientation of a person could even be a criminal offence according to the law of India (Indian Penal Code: section 377). In such a society it is expected to follow social norms and hiding one's sexual orientation (if it's different from the pre set social norm). Here the question arises where hiding one's sexual orientation is desired then why some people choose to show that. Hence, the coming out might have some positive psycho-social implications, which motivates these individuals to step out of the closet. The purpose of this study is to find out the positive psycho-social factors behind stating ones sexual orientation (when it's different from the social norm) through interview method. 6 LGBTQ individuals were interviewed and asked to state the positive factors of stating their sexual orientation, 3 of them are already out to their parents and peers and 3 are not yet out to their parents and peers. Those who have told their close kin(s) and acquaintances about their sexual orientation were also asked about the reaction of their parents and friends when they break the matter to them. The research assumption was that revealing sexual identity might have change the way of perceiving well being, happiness and meaning in life of the LGBTQ individuals, thus these areas were probed in this research.