Negotiating adolescence and young adulthood is difficult for all young people. A huge part of this process is the growing awareness of oneself as a sexual being, of the sexual attractiveness of others, one's sexual drives for sexual fulfilment and the dawning of hopes and dreams about finding an intimate supportive relationship or relationships and the possibility of having children and a family life.
However, mental and social health indicators show that negotiating this period for a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer or intersex young person carry very high risks.
Whatever our families, peer and social groups, and our society as a whole can do to support LGBTQI+ young people to find their place in our society as a respected and valued individuals is incredibly important.
Coming out LGBTQI Ceremonies
The power of ceremony is little recognised until one experiences a ceremony that is designed to meet the physical, psychological/spiritual and social needs of the guest of honour.
Such a ceremony would
- uphold the value of the individual as well as uphold the civil and human rights of others
- assist the individual to face often unspoken fears as well as embrace change creatively and consciously
- enable the individual to let go of past disappointments and express their hopes for the future
- enable others to participate in the ceremony with music, poetry and prose, dance and any other ceremonial expressions as required
- experience love and acceptance for the essence of their personhood and their inherent sexuality in a supportive environment
The Celebrants Network has celebrants who would love to work with you and/or your family and/or peer group to support you in "coming out".
If you are thinking about changing your name as part of your journey, follow this link for information on naming ceremonies