PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES REGARDING THE COMING-OUT PROCESS OF A GAY OR LESBIAN CHILD

Authors

  • Assim Alpaslan Department of Social Work, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Theresa Johnston Social Worker, Child Protection Unit, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
  • Veonna Goliath Department of Social Development Professions, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15270/45-1-219

Abstract

Coming out of the closet, that is, identifying or labelling oneself publicly as gay or lesbian, is
one of the most difficult and potentially traumatic experiences a gay/lesbian person can
undertake (Woog, 1997). For many gays/lesbians this process is a journey which starts at the
first awareness of being different from others. It then follows the route of coming out to oneself
– labelling oneself as gay/lesbian – and finally letting others know of one’s sexual orientation.
A large amount of the gay/lesbian person’s energy goes into deciding where, when, how and to
whom he/she will disclose his/her sexual orientation. They are greatly concerned about the
possible risks and consequences of “coming out” to significant others (Moses, 1986:80).

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Published

2014-06-19

How to Cite

Alpaslan, A., Johnston, T., & Goliath, V. (2014). PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES REGARDING THE COMING-OUT PROCESS OF A GAY OR LESBIAN CHILD. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.15270/45-1-219

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Articles

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