Nolan says, 'Ask them questions about their journey because for most gay men and women 'coming out' is a process of self-discovery. Many of us are curious when a co-worker comes out but your questions need to be within boundaries. Acknowledge this and say that you appreciate them confiding in you. We fear losing our friends and family merely because they do not understand what it is like to be gay.' If a coworker shares this information, it's clear that they respect and trust you. Nolan says, 'Many of us stay in the closet because we fear ridicule and disapproval. Handle it in the same way you would if a co-worker told you he/she was getting married.' If your junior comes out, a simple, 'Cheers to you,' can suffice. Don't make a big deal of it, especially at work. Don't trivialise the situation by rushing them. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Sachin Patkar says, 'Be composed. Do not rush them and do not try to fill in the blanks just to get the conversation over. Let your co-worker take as much time as he/she needs to tell you. (After years of speculation, Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe recently came out.)
