Experiences Regarding Coming Out to Parents Among African American, Hispanic, and White Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Adolescents

This qualitative study, based on data collected from focus groups of ethnically and racially diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning adolescents (53% Hispanic/Latino/Latina, 35% Black/African American, 11% Caucasian/White, and 1% South Asian-Indian), serves to expand knowledge about experiences of diverse adolescents when coming out to their parents. Varying aspects of such reactions, particularly among Hispanic/Latino/Latina and African American participants, are a valuable outcome of the current study. As such, this study contributes lesser known aspects of the coming out experience to the social services literature. Recommendations for mental health practitioners and social service workers are provided.