Many areas of the world are still fully or partially quarantined, and several people have come out to their families during this time of “isolation together” in different ways.
The conversations are harder, especially when you cannot escape the people you are talking to. However, many have come out in lockdown as they have felt closer than ever to their friends and family. So, what are the creative ways people have chosen to come out? The answer lies in social media.
Coming Out on TikTok
YouTuber Tatiana Ringsby started a coming out trend on popular, short video app TikTok. During quarantine, Ringsby decided to come out to her family at home and make a video of it. She baked a cake for her parents and wrote “Surprise! I’m Bi” in pink and blue icing. Ringsby gave the cake to her parents, burst into tears, and was met with such a lovely response. Her parents let Ringsby know that they would always love her for exactly who she is, and the TikTok video ended with hugs all around.
Similarly, Austin Nestor came out to her family while using TikTok. Nestor filmed a video that said, “What’s your name? What’s your sign? What’s your age? What’s your type?” and when the line about type came on, she wrote, “everyone.” Nestor then sent this video to her sister, who at first did not believe her.
“She straight up did not believe me,” Nestor said. “I Facetimed her crying and she realized I was telling the truth. She was quick to comfort me and tell me she would never change her opinion of me, straight or bi.”
Nestor believes that a huge part of her coming out was based on being in quarantine. She comes from a conservative town and while her family is liberal and accepting, her community held her back from coming out sooner, as she did not accept her own sexuality.
“[In quarantine] I never had more time to self-reflect, so I finally had the time to face the things I put off,” Nestor said.
To Come Out or Not to Come Out?
Likewise, it seems that quarantine has presented some debate on whether or not to come out. Some people on Reddit say that due to the close quarters, it is not ideal to come out. The argument is that it isn’t safe, because if you come out in quarantine you cannot leave to give your friends and family space. Several people have decided against coming out while in isolation.
However, there have still been more and more people coming out during quarantine, including HollywoodDesh on YouTube. Desh chose to film his coming out story for YouTube during quarantine because he wanted to be out to the world in case he contracted COVID-19 and would not be able to tell anyone.
“I don’t want to not be myself anymore,” Desh said. “God forbid I get the virus and wasn’t able to be myself. I’ve given a different version of myself for 21 years, I’m 22 now.”
College basketball coach Matt Lynch also came out during quarantine. In an interview with OutSports, Lynch said he did not want to die while living a lie. In case Lynch contracted COVID-19, he wanted to make sure he could be his most authentic self to the world. So, during quarantine he signed on for an interview with OutSports, one of the more unique ways of coming out!
“This is a scary time for everyone, and the unknown is always difficult to deal with. But I have made a decision to use this time to become completely open and honest with myself and the people around me,” Lynch said in OutSports. “I’m gay.”
The Choice is Yours
If you are thinking about coming out during this time, there are many cute and unique ways to do so while still social distancing! Just make sure you feel safe having these tough conversations and can implement self-care during this time as well.
Cover Image by Alex Jackman
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