Periagoge
Scenario

When a friend coming out changes long-established group dynamics

Our friend group from college has been tight for ten years but ever since Jake came out as gay, there's this weird dynamic where some people are trying so hard to be supportive that it feels performative, and others are acting like nothing changed but clearly something did change, and Jake and I are both feeling like we can't talk about any of it honestly. We're all walking on eggshells and losing the ease we used to have.

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

A social group is struggling to integrate new information about identity without losing authentic connection or creating performative inclusion.

Your guide for this
Juana
Juana works with people navigating exactly this kind of situation.
Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Sexual orientation as identity?”

Peri

Peri can explain why this happens, help you decide if this is the right situation for you, and point toward the right journey or coach.

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.