The process of coming out is different for everyone. Some people come out in the teens or twenties, others wait until later in life. It comes easy to some, but for others it can be a very traumatic time.

It's really all about honesty. It always starts with being honest with yourself, and then extends to other people, as far as you feel comfortable. Not everybody needs to know, not everybody wants to know, but if you are going to be honest with somebody concerning your sexuality, then you're probably going to come out to them.

Being Jewish sometimes adds unique challenges to this process. Many Dayenu members have been through this process themselves; coming out to themselves, their parents and friends etc.

Dayenu provides a counselling service for anyone who would like to talk about their sexuality or gender identity, whether gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex, or just curious. Please feel free to contact one of our counsellors for a chat.

Coming out reading list

The links below tell the stories of Dayenu members and their personal experiences:

• Time for us to say Dayenu - what it's all about
• Coming out as a parent and a Jew - a parent's perspective
• Mardi Gras through the eyes of a Jewish Princess - a story about one of the two Jewish floats in the 1999 Mardi Gras parade.
• Let there be light - coming out as a Jew to lesbian friends
• It's only adolescence - a 17 year old shares his thoughts at the end of High School