Is “Coming Out” Still Relevant? Social Justice Implications for LGB‐Membered Families

The process of “coming out” for a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) individual has been described in social sciences literature for almost 40 years. This review of the literature investigated whether sexual minority individuals continue to struggle with a coming‐out process in a more accepting society. Historically, the literature focused on the stages of acknowledging to oneself and others that one identifies with a minority sexual orientation. However, current literature offers new models for understanding sexual orientation and alternative paths to sexual identity that use more contextual and culturally relevant frameworks. Several other variables—including the internalization of sexual stigma, the intersection of sexual identity with other cultural variables, and the minority stress experienced by LGB individuals—have a major impact on the well‐being of LGB individuals and their families. This article also discusses the impact of the current sociopolitical climate on the coming‐out process.