Maren Morris Celebrates Pride

This week, singer Maren Morris made a personal and public declaration on Instagram: “Happy to be the B in LGBTQ+. Happy pride 🌈.” This announcement comes just months after her divorce filing from Ryan Hurd, marking a significant moment in her personal journey and the broader conversation about LGBTQ+ visibility.

The Ideal World: Acceptance Without Coming Out

As we move further into 2024, many people yearn for a society where coming out is unnecessary, where LGBTQ+ individuals can live openly without fear or explanation. Moe Ari Brown, a licensed marriage and family therapist, articulates this vision: “Ideally, we are working to create a world without boxes or closets to ‘come out of’ because we would never be expected to be anything other than who we say we are.”

However, the current political and social climate suggests that coming out will remain a significant act of courage and affirmation. Despite progress, LGBTQ+ people often face challenges that require them to assert their identities repeatedly.

The Lifelong Process of Coming Out

Coming out is not a one-time event but a continuous process. T.M. Robinson-Mosley, a counseling psychologist, describes it as a “matrix or a cycle,” with each instance of coming out presenting its own unique circumstances and challenges.

In the U.S., societal support for LGBTQ+ rights has grown. A Gallup poll from last year shows that 71% of Americans support marriage equality. Media representation has improved, with more queer characters and storylines in movies and TV shows. Public figures like Morris, Billie Eilish, and Sophia Bush have openly discussed their LGBTQ+ identities, contributing to greater visibility and acceptance.

Challenges and Setbacks

Despite these advances, there are significant obstacles. Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S. threaten to reverse hard-won gains. The private sector has also seen backlash against companies supporting LGBTQ+ rights, such as Bud Light and Target.

Violence and protests against LGBTQ+ events, like drag shows, have become more common, turning previously safe spaces into battlegrounds. “Violence has become a much more routine experience,” Mosley notes, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by the community.

The Importance of Visibility

Coming out, despite its challenges, remains a powerful act of resistance and solidarity. Keygan Miller, Director of Public Training at The Trevor Project, emphasizes the importance of visibility: “During a time when extremists are seeking to silence the voices of the LGBTQ community, standing in solidarity and making our presence known is a powerful act of strength and resistance.”

The act of coming out can inspire others and provide hope to those still in the closet, showing that they are not alone and that acceptance is possible.

How to Come Out on Your Own Terms

For those considering coming out, it’s crucial to do so on their own terms. Christina Ferraz, a public relations professional known as The PR Professor, points out the double standard faced by LGBTQ+ individuals: “Are cisgender people asked about their gender, and how they express themselves? Are cisgender people asked about their sexuality as often as different genders are?”

Finding supportive communities, whether online or in person, can make a significant difference. According to Miller, “Our research shows that LGBTQ young people who had access to online communities that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide than those who did not.”

The Future of Coming Out

The future of coming out may evolve as societal attitudes continue to shift. Therapist Kimberly Vered Shashoua believes that while discrimination may always exist, its intensity and impact can change. Others, like Moe Ari Brown, are more optimistic, envisioning a future where gender and sexual orientation are irrelevant, and all people are celebrated.

“We get to create this society we dream about. The future is in our hands,” Brown says, highlighting the power of collective action in shaping a more inclusive world.

Conclusion

Maren Morris’s recent coming out is a reminder of both the progress made and the challenges that remain for LGBTQ+ individuals. As society continues to evolve, the hope is that coming out will become less about seeking acceptance and more about celebrating one’s authentic self. Until then, acts of visibility and solidarity remain crucial in the fight for equality and acceptance.