Editing Coming out (section)

== Impact of COVID-19 pandemic ==
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the order of people to whom LGBTQ+ children revealed their identity was impacted. Traditionally, children confide in friends before going to their families, but this order has been reversed. It is emphasized that even in these cases, children only tell their families first if they are accepting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-08 |title=Coming out as LGBTQ during COVID-19: What's different? |url=https://www.childrensmn.org/blog/coming-lgbtq-covid-19-whats-different/. |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Children's Minnesota |language=en-US}}</ref>

The shift in global circumstances during the pandemic has played a role in the coming out experience for a great number of LGBTQ+ people. Many were forced to be in unaccepting environments during this time. American LGBTQ+ people faced a higher risk for negative consequences from the pandemic than their straight counterparts. A lower percentage of these individuals have health coverage, a higher percentage smoke, and a higher percentage maintain employment in vulnerable industries. All of these factors contribute to worse consequences for this population during the pandemic.<ref name=imp>{{Cite journal |date=May 2020 |title=The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on LGBT Communities in the UK |journal=LGBT Foundation |issue=3rd Edition}}</ref>

The LGBTQ+ community saw increased feelings of isolation during this time, impacting their coming out experiences. Many individuals described how they lacked an avenue in which to connect with the LGBT community, reducing their ability to gain confidence in their identity. Researchers argue that this is seriously detrimental to an already isolated community.<ref name=imp/> However, the ample time for reflection proved beneficial for some individuals regarding their self-image and discovery. Some people were able to come to terms with their identity and increase their confidence as a result. Others felt like the increase in the community's online presence has allowed for more interaction with the community than before.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Stitt-Fredericks |first=Isabelle |date=2022 |title=LGBTQ+ Experiences with the COVID-19 Pandemic |journal=KnightScholar |volume=2021}}</ref>

The lack of in-person celebrations during [[Pride Month]], which is typically held in June, affected the connectedness of the community. These circumstances affecting this important time for the community have reduced the confidence in which LGBTQ+ people feel comfortable sharing their identities. These face-to-face events are argued to be community-building events. Researchers argue that a crucial aspect of their support system has vanished without them.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Orea-Giner |first=Alicia |last2=Ong |first2=Faith |last3=Recio-Moreno |first3=Gonzalo |date=2024-07-22 |title=Silencing the Rainbow: The Territorial Effects of Pride Cancellation |url=https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/10.3727/152599524X17077053867836 |journal=Event Management |language=en |volume=28 |issue=6 |pages=863–881 |doi=10.3727/152599524X17077053867836 |issn=1525-9951}}</ref>

These unprecedented global circumstances may have caused individuals to potentially postpone their coming out, influencing their unique stories. It describes how the pandemic has forced many LGBTQ+ youth to remain in non-accepting households. This, they argue, may also delay their coming out process as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Implications of COVID-19 for LGBTQ Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention |url=https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Implications-of-COVID-19-for-LGBTQ-Youth-Mental-Health-and-Suicide-Prevention.pdf |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=The Trevor Project}}</ref> Mental health may also have been affected as a result of being stuck in these environments.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=A. Gattamorta |first=Karina |last2=Salerno |first2=John P. |last3=Roman Laporte |first3=Roberto |date=2022-08-08 |title=Family Rejection during COVID-19: Effects on Sexual and Gender Minority Stress and Mental Health among LGBTQ University Students |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/27703371.2022.2083041 |journal=LGBTQ+ Family|language=en |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=305–318 |doi=10.1080/27703371.2022.2083041 |issn=2770-3371 |pmc=10162589 |pmid=37151804}}</ref> LGBTQ+ adults faced unique challenges compared to their youth counterparts. Significant job loss compared to non-LGBTQ+ counterparts occurred, affecting their economic vitality, whereas much of the youth population was forced to remain at home.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Lindsey |last2=Kirzinger |first2=Ashley |last3=Published |first3=Jennifer Kates |date=2021-03-11 |title=The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on LGBT People |url=https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-lgbt-people/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=KFF |language=en-US}}</ref>

There are several instances of the openness of the LGBTQ+ identity being a disadvantage in the pandemic setting among various countries. In the Philippines, a lesbian couple did not receive food aid during the pandemic because they did not fit the traditional definition of a family. In this instance, the disclosure of their identity did not prove to be in their best interests. The country also resorted to public humiliation when dealing with three gay men who broke the curfew rules.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-24 |title=The New Humanitarian {{!}} How COVID-19 aid is leaving LGBTQ+ people out |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2020/06/24/LGBTQ-gender-coronavirus-discrimination-aid |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.thenewhumanitarian.org |language=en}}</ref>

In terms of gender minorities, several disruptions occurred within the medical environment hindering [[Gender-affirming surgery|gender-affirming procedures]]. Many interruptions occurred with in-person appointments as well. Economic disparities have also played a role in the transgender experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Transgender Community, and What You Can Do About It {{!}} The Clayman Institute for Gender Research |url=https://gender.stanford.edu/news/impact-covid-19-pandemic-transgender-community-and-what-you-can-do-about-it |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=gender.stanford.edu |language=en}}</ref>