Citation

Manning J. J. Homosex. 2014; 62(1): 67-97.

Affiliation

a Department of Communication , Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , Illinois , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00918369.2014.957127

PMID

25153806

Abstract

This essay features typographic analysis of 260 coming out narratives from 130 diverse lesbian, gay, or bisexual participants. Two typologies of coming out conversations, one exploring positive communicative behaviors and another exploring negative, are offered. Positive behaviors for all members of the conversation include open communication channels, affirming direct relational statements, laughter and joking, and nonverbal immediacy. Negative behaviors for those coming out included nervous nonverbal behavior, indirectly approaching the topic, and lack of preparation. Negative behaviors for receivers include expressing denial, religious talk, inappropriate questions or comments, shaming statements, and aggressive statements. Future studies and research implications are considered.

Language: en