[Explained Through Manga] What is “Outing”? Things to Be Mindful of When Receiving a Coming Out

Have you ever heard of the word “outing”?

“Outing” means revealing someone’s sexuality without their permission to another person.

As people become more aware of different types of sexuality and LGBTQ+ topics, there are more chances to talk about someone’s sexuality in everyday conversations.

For example, you might hear someone say, “I heard that person might be gay,” or “Did you know that Person A was originally female?”

On the other hand, the potential danger of discussing someone’s sexuality lightly like this and unintentionally causing deep emotional harm to that individual may not be fully recognized yet.

In this article, we will explain the meaning and risks of “outing” alongside a manga to provide a better understanding.

What is “Outing”? Why is “Outing” not okay?

“Outing” refers to revealing someone’s sexuality to others without their permission. There was an incident that brought the term “outing” to public attention.

It’s called the “Hitotsubashi Outing Incident.” In 2015, a student at Hitotsubashi University died tragically after their friend revealed that he was gay.

• As a result of outing, even if it doesn’t lead to suicide, some people have experienced:
• Harassment at work and were forced to change jobs.
• Being mentally overwhelmed and developing depression.

These cases happen far too often in our society.

“Outing” is an act that deeply hurts the person involved. Although our society is gradually becoming more aware of sexual diversity, discrimination and prejudice still exist. Unfortunately, being open about one’s sexuality can still carry significant risks for the individuals involved.

What’s the Difference with Coming Out?

You might have heard of the term “Coming Out.” Coming Out means when LGBTQ+ individuals tell someone about their sexuality.

The term comes from the expression “coming out of the closet,” which means moving from a hidden state (not publicly disclosing their sexuality) to being open about it.

Coming Out is crucial for LGBTQ+ individuals to live authentically. Unfortunately, not everyone is in a situation where they can come out, but more and more individuals have been coming out in recent years.

On the other hand, “Outing,” as mentioned earlier, refers to revealing someone’s sexuality to others without their permission.

Both Coming Out and Outing seem similar because they involve talking about someone’s sexuality. However, Coming Out is a personal choice made by the individual themselves, while Outing is when someone else reveals it without their consent.

In the manga example, if a gay friend tells the protagonist about their sexuality, it would be Coming Out. But if the protagonist reveals it to others without their friend’s permission, that would be Outing.

• To remember the difference: Coming Out = Talking about your own sexuality by your own choice
• Outing = Talking about someone else’s sexuality without their permission

Always remember that there’s a significant difference between Outing and Coming Out.

Well-Intentioned Outing

In this manga, a person who was told about their friend being gay (Coming Out) tries to share the information with others in a well-intentioned manner. However, Outing is something we should avoid, regardless of whether it’s done with good or bad intentions, consciously or unconsciously.

Some may think, “I don’t have any prejudice against LGBTQ+, so it’s okay to tell anyone, right?” However, as mentioned earlier, in reality, there is still a lot of prejudice against LGBTQ+ in society, and bullying or unjust firings based on sexuality still happen.

For LGBTQ+ individuals, Coming Out can be challenging and risky, even if they want to do it. Revealing it without their consent can be a very violent act.

Together with awareness about LGBTQ+, it’s essential to understand that “Outing = a dangerous act that could harm someone’s life.”

” Even if you think you need to tell someone for the other person’s sake, make sure to get their consent instead of revealing it without their permission.

The Dangers of Outing Beyond Sexuality

Originally, “Outing” was a term used for revealing someone’s sexuality, but recently, it has been used for other aspects like illnesses, disabilities, origins, and occupations.

In our society, there are still many attributes that face prejudice and discrimination, not just related to sexuality.

For example, conditions like developmental disorders that may not be visible, mental illnesses with lingering stigma, sexually transmitted infections, and occupations like sex work, are all susceptible to causing deep harm to the individuals when subjected to Outing.

In the future, if we achieve a society where no one faces discrimination based on their attributes, Outing might not be as dangerous. But unfortunately, in a society that still harbors discrimination and prejudice, we must prevent Outing, not just regarding sexuality but for all attributes.

What Should I Do If I Receive a Coming Out?

If someone comes out to you about their sexuality, or if you accidentally learn about someone’s sexuality, the first thing you must absolutely avoid is sharing it with others without their consent.

Moreover, if you sense that the person may need support, try talking to them and figuring out together what you can do to help.

Some people choose specific individuals or communities to come out to:

• They might have come out at work but not with friends.
• They might have come out to people other than their family.
• They might have come out only to a select group of close friends.

These choices vary from person to person. Just because someone seems open about it in one community doesn’t mean they have come out to everyone they interact with.

If you feel unsure, it might be a good idea to ask who they have come out with, or who they don’t want to come out with.

Also, even if you don’t out someone, there might be times when someone else reveals a third party’s sexuality to you. In such situations, it’s essential not to spread that information any further. If possible, it would be good to let the person who did the outing know that “outing is not something they should do.” Summary: We have explained Outing and its dangers.

Summary:

It is essential for the awareness of Outing, which has the potential to deeply hurt, distress, and even endanger someone’s life, to increase. Let’s work towards creating a society where LGBTQ+ individuals can live comfortably and securely.

（Translation: Jennifer Martin)