Module L Coming Out Questions Activity

Sometimes even people with good intentions ask questions of someone coming out that can be odd and even offensive. For the activity below, ask someone close to you who knows you are taking this class to participate in this role play.

Coming Out As Heterosexual

You are to assume the role of a person coming out as "straight." You've selected a private location and just said to your partner, "Hey, I have something important and personal to share with you. I'm straight."

Have your role playing partner ask you the following questions and answer them honestly.

What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
When and how did you first decide you were heterosexual?
Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?
Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a fear of others of the same sex?
If you have never slept with a member of your own sex, is it possible that you might be gay if you tried it?
If heterosexuality is normal, why are so many mental patients heterosexual?
Why do you heterosexual people try to seduce others into your lifestyle?
Why do you flaunt your heterosexuality? Can't you just be who you are and keep it quiet?
The great majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it safe to expose your children to heterosexual teachers?
With all the societal support that marriage receives, the divorce rate is spiraling. Why are there so few stable relationships among heterosexual people?
Why are heterosexual people so promiscuous?
Would you want your children to be heterosexual, knowing the problems they would face, such as heartbreak, disease, and divorce?

Think about how these questions sounded to you and how it made you feel to answer them? If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, find a straight friend to do this activity with and debrief it with them using the same questions below.

How did it feel to be asked they questions and having to answer them?
Which questions did you find most offensive?
Why do you think LGBTQ+ people are commonly asked these questions, but not straight or cisgender people?