Coming Out, Mental Health, and Wellbeing

For many LGBTIQA+ people, coming out is framed as a pivotal moment in affirming one’s identity. It can bring a sense of freedom, self-acceptance, and connection to community. Research has shown that for those who are in safe environments, coming out can have positive impacts on mental health and wellbeing, reducing stress and fostering a greater sense of authenticity and belonging.

However, the mainstream coming out narrative assumes that full visibility and openness are universally desirable or even possible. For many LGBTIQA+ people from some culturally, religiously, and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the journey is far more complex. Family and community ties, cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and safety concerns mean that traditional coming out frameworks may not fit their lived realities.

This is where “Inviting In” offers an alternative.

On this page:

A screenshot from the Coming Out / Inviting In video series featuring Sekneh standing in a doorway and leaning forward as if to invite the viewer into the building in a circle image

The ‘Inviting In’ Concept

Coined by Sekneh Hammoud in 2007 in her paper “Azima ila Hayati—Inviting In as an Alternative to Coming Out”, the Inviting In framework shifts the focus from external validation to personal agency. Rather than feeling pressured to declare one’s identity publicly, Inviting In is about choosing who to share your story with, on your own terms, in a way that honours both cultural connections and personal safety.

This approach acknowledges that coming out is not always safe or desirable for everyone. Instead, it centres the individual’s right to control their own narrative—deciding when, how, and with whom they share their identity.

The Inviting In video series brings this concept to life, featuring the voices and lived experiences of CALD LGBTIQA+ individuals who share their journeys of navigating identity, family, faith, and support networks. This resource aims to provide mental health professionals, community workers, families, and individuals with a culturally safe framework for understanding and supporting diverse experiences.

Introducing the Inviting In (with Sekneh) Series

Before we dive into the personal stories shared in this series, psychologist and narrative therapist Sekneh Hammoud introduces us to the Inviting In concept. Filmed at Twenty10, this video offers insight into the significance of culturally affirming approaches to identity, mental health, and wellbeing.

The structure of the video reflects the very essence of Inviting In—Sekneh invites us into her work, walking us through the hallways of Twenty10, answering 10 key questions about her practice, the concept she coined, and why this approach matters. The video ends in a powerful visual moment—Sekneh takes the camera from us just as she is about to enter a therapy room, signifying the transition into a private, safe space where these conversations unfold.

Watch the Video Series

The five themed videos that follow build on this moment. Each one begins with this final scene, with Sekneh “taking it from here” and stepping into the therapy room, where she sits with participants to explore their lived experiences. Through these deeply personal reflections, the series brings to life the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of navigating identity, faith, family, and community as an LGBTIQA+ person from a culturally, religiously, and linguistically diverse background.

What does it mean to invite people into your life instead of coming out? In this video, participants reflect on the power of choice, the importance of having control over one’s own journey, and how this approach offers a sense of autonomy and safety when navigating identity in different cultural and family contexts.

For many LGBTIQA+ people from religious backgrounds, faith can feel like a barrier to self-acceptance. This video explores the struggles, reconciliations, and affirmations experienced by those who have had to navigate tensions between spirituality, sexuality, and community expectations. It challenges the notion that faith and queerness are incompatible and highlights how people reclaim their beliefs in ways that honour both.

Family expectations play a major role in how individuals navigate their identity. Some fear rejection, others seek understanding, and many find ways to bridge their worlds without losing themselves. This video highlights personal stories of love, conflict, growth, and resilience, exploring the ways family relationships evolve through the Inviting In journey.

Identity is never one-dimensional. This video explores the intersection of race, gender, culture, and sexuality, reflecting on how layered experiences of marginalistion and belonging shape identity. Participants share their experiences navigating LGBTIQA+ spaces that don’t always feel inclusive, and the importance of creating community and finding spaces that celebrate all aspects of who they are.

What does meaningful support look like? Where can someone turn when they feel alone? In the final video, participants share their experiences with mental health professionals, community groups, friends, and chosen family, discussing what made them feel safe, seen, and supported. This video highlights the importance of finding the right people to invite in and making sure LGBTIQA+ individuals always have a place to go for support.

This video series is a free resource for mental health professionals, community workers, families, and individuals seeking guidance on navigating identity in culturally safe ways. If you are working with someone who could benefit from this resource, please share it.

For more support or reach out to Twenty10 or an LGBTIQA+ support service in your area.

Project Lead: Bernard Saliba

Source: Hammoud-Beckett, S., Azima ila Hayati-An invitation in to my life: Narrative conversations about sexual identity. International Journal of Narrative Therapy & Community Work, 2007. 2007(1): p. 29-39.