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Outed by wearing rainbow?

Discussion in 'LGBT Later in Life' started by sabrinaa, Aug 1, 2016.

  1. sabrinaa

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    I just want your opinion on something.

    I bought a rainbow bracelet. It is pretty thin, not super obvious. I am just wondering if wearing it in public will out me to straight people? I am not ready to be outed at work or by family, at least not yet.

    Is wearing a rainbow bracelet like an obvious sign to the world that someone is gay? Or is it something just other queer people think? I am a little afraid to wear it because I feel like I am wearing a huge sign saying "I AM GAY".

    I want to wear it to make myself more comfortable with being queer and possibly attracting some queer people, but I am still not ready to come out and tell everyone.

    I don't know, I just bought it as a little test for myself. Something to help me feel kind of part of the LGBTQ+ community and see how comfortable I feel with it. So far, when I am around people I do not know I feel perfectly fine with it, but when I am around people I do know I get REALLY nervous about it.
     
  2. Adray

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    I know the feeling. I bought my first bi pride bracelet about 3 years before I eventually came out. At first, I wore it only when I was on work travel. Now, it's whenever I feel like it.

    The rainbow is a pretty well-understood symbol. They will either think you are LGBT, or at least LGBT-friendly. If you are a well-known Liberal like I am (I have a framed picture of President Obama and his family in my house, LOL), maybe they'll think you're just a supporter.
     
  3. Really

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    I don't know. My feeling is that most people are pretty clueless unless they are "in the know". Was there a pride festival in your city recently? If so, people might be a bit more clued in but otherwise, I really don't think anyone would guess.

    It's possible queer people or true supporters could pick up on it but even then, I bet nobody says anything. At most you might get a smile of recognition.

    Does your style run towards wearing multiple wristbands/bracelets? Maybe wearing it in a mix wouldn't be so daunting for you.

    I'd say, go for it. Even if it's just Fridays, then Thursday and Friday then ...
     
  4. BMC77

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    Unfortunately, the only way to be certain you aren't outed by a rainbow bracelet is to not wear it.

    However...there is a chance it won't be noticed. Some people have complained, in fact, about wearing a bracelet with the hopes it will be noticed, only to have it never noticed.

    I have occasionally worn a PFLAG bracelet over the last 3 years. It's not quite a normal rainbow, but is clearly multicolor. As far as I could tell, only one person recognized what it meant, and only one other person noticed it and asked what it was. (One plus to it being PFLAG item is that I can explain it as a "PFLAG" item, and that I'm wearing it in support of ____.)
     
  5. RosePetals76

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    I've been wearing a rainbow anklet for over a month, and only other LGBT people have commented on it. I suppose someone could get suspicious, but they might also just think you're an ally.
     
  6. ConsciousRose42

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    If someone mentions it you could say
    'Yes it's important to support the gay community '

    Then it's the truth but not self revealing :slight_smile:
     
  7. Really

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    Off topic question:

    Do you have a link to what your anklet looks like? I got a bracelet like this one at pride which I would wear around my ankle but I'm not quite ready for that. Maybe soon. I cycle and run a lot so there would be no missing it. :astonished:
     

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  8. RosePetals76

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    I don't because I couldn't find one like I wanted, so I made mine. I bought the 6 colors of glass beads and strung it on fishing line with clasps. It's really pretty cute. The beads are 2 different sizes, so they alternate large, small, large, small in rainbow order.
     
  9. Really

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    Ooh! Sounds nice. :slight_smile:
     
  10. sabrinaa

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    Yeah, I regularly wear multiple wristbands so I've been just hiding it in the mix. I have noticed that once I leave people I know I get the urge to not hide it and pull it out from under the others.

    I am glad that I feel good about wearing it, even if it is only around strangers. I feel like I am making progress.
     
  11. baristajedi

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    Like others have said, my rainbow stuff has only gotten an occasional reaction, and typically from LGBT folks. There may be the occasional straight person who would notice, but I presume straight people who understand are probably allies.
     
  12. thrashgal

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    who cares dude just wear it...you are who u are no need to hide, if they dont accept u then fuk them....i guess i understand the feeling my bracelet looks just like the one in the pic, i was alittle nervous to wear it around my parents but i stopped givin a shit

    ---------- Post added 3rd Aug 2016 at 09:43 AM ----------

    and this....
     
  13. RavenTheRat

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    I own rainbow fingerless gloves, kneehigh socks, a rainbow belt, and a rainbow bracelet.
    So basically I wrote I AM QUEER on my forehead.

    I doubt a little bracelet will be noticed though.
     
  14. Izi

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    I love wearing my rainbow bracelet. I bought one from ebay, but it was too big, so I made one myself. I made it mostly of 4mm small white beads, but with the rainbow colors in the middle. I was surprised to see that people do notice it. I get some looks and shy smiles while they look away, I love that!! I have not come out yet, actually just accepted that I am bi or lesbian, but this makes me take a tiny little step out and be comfortable with who I am. You should try it and see how you feel, if you donĀ“t feel comfortable, it is maybe not the right time?
     
  15. PaintedSky

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    I'm a really femme girl, and I own quite the number of rainbow items and accessories. I wear them often, and sometimes try and dress full on rainbow. Still not noticed as a lesbian. One time I had the whole garb on and a dude was hitting on me. I told him, "No thank you." He said, "Is your boyfriend not okay with that?" I said, "I don't like men like that." He still had the gall to say, "You don't look lesbian..." I was like really :dry: So if you're the, "Femme de la Femme" then people may just think you love rainbows a lot. I wear a rainbow necklace and pride ring on another occasion, and a woman stopped at my counter and said, "I love rainbows! I always look for them after storms!" I'm not 100% out yet, but maybe I need a different approach. lol Wish the ladies would notice us super Femmes :icon_wink
     
  16. Totesgaybrah

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    My straight brother owns and wears a rainbow "baja Hoodie" its pretty awesome.
     
  17. 99701

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    I've been wearing a pride bracelet every day for over a year now. Nobody has noticed it (or at least told me they did) except 1 guy who smiled and then showed me his pride jewelry. I pointed it out to one straight friend and he had no idea what it meant.