Coming out online: Interpretations of young men’s stories

How do young gay men experience the coming-out process by participating in Internet chat rooms? This qualitative study examined the experiences of young gay men who participated in chat rooms as they were coming out. Between December 2000 and March 2001, 13 self-identified gay men (ages 19–26) residing in an urban southern coastal community participated in face-to-face interviews. The researchers employed interpretive interactionism (Denzin, 1989) to analyze coming-out stories that captured epiphanies associated with participants’ chat room interactions with gay men. Online experiences led to manifestations of greater self-acceptance. The illumination of both positive and negative experiences that resulted from chat room participation may provide valuable insight to stakeholders who aim to support young gay men as they come out. Developmental, policy, and practice implications are discussed.