November 15, 2010
Average coming out age falls from 37 to 17
People who are gay, lesbian or bisexual are coming out earlier than ever before, according to gay rights group Stonewall.
A poll of 1,500 out people found that the average of coming out for people over the age of 60 was 37. People in their 30s came out on average at the age of 21, and 18-24 year olds came out on average at the age of 17.
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s deputy director of public affairs, said that TV role models were making it easier for younger people to come out earlier.
“Older people may not have had the language for it, or necessarily seen other people they knew they were like,” said Hunt.
“What we’re seeing is an explosion of role models and people talking about being gay, so people are more able to associate what they’re feeling with something they can see.”
“Everyone should come out when they feel ready and confident, but this is an encouraging trend and sends a positive message to anyone not yet out: you don’t have to wait. Britain is a fairer country than it once was, and support is available to you.”
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I’m sure it’s true that people are coming out younger than ever before because of strong role models and growing social acceptance, but I don’t think these stats demonstrate that.
If somebody were still closeted, they would not have been polled by this survey – it would be nonsensical to have a straight 20 year old saying they will realise they are bisexual and come out when they’re 35.
Think of the samples in this poll as a scattering of dots on a graph, one colour for current age and another for coming out age. When you choose an age to read samples from, everything above that line is disregarded – i.e. people of that age not yet out.
Statistically, this report just doesn’t make any sense. Like I said, I’m sure its conclusions are true, and it’s a very good thing too, but the maths don’t work.
Surely this fails to take into account all those in the younger generation who are yet to come out? I’m assuming those in the 18-24 age group who were interviewed were already out. What about those among their peers who are still closeted? Surely if you interview the same generation in 10 years time you’ll find the average moving up as those who come out late in life are included.
Still good news that people are feeling confident enough to come out earlier.