Have an action plan.

Make sure you have thought out as many possible angles and be ready to cope with the outcome. Think about people you will tell first. Look for signs of support or “safe” people. Practice what you will say. Will you divulge detailed personal information or will you simply state that you are gay without much explanation?

Create a safe environment.

Your room or fraternity or sorority house is a comfortable place. Being in a safe environment can protect you and make you feel more confident about coming out.

Be honest.

Be honest to yourself and others. Realize that you may be confronted with a brother or sister who is shocked or may have many questions. Be prepared for both rejection and acceptance. Realize your own comfort level with coming out. What are you willing to share? What do you want to keep private? Explain that this is not new to you, and that the coming out process can be a very stressful one.

Create allies.

An ally could be a big brother or a pledge brother, and it should be someone you trust. If you have privately come out to a few close brothers or sisters, let them in on the disclosure process you’ve decided on. Seek staff or faculty of the university who have been identified as “Safe Zone” mentors.

Become an ally.

Be prepared for other gay brothers or lesbian sisters who want to confide in you. Honor their confidence and trust that you will keep their feelings private. Encourage your chapter to have a non-discrimination clause that includes the words “sexual orientation” in their bylaws if they do not already have one. Talk to your fraternity or sorority advisor about educating the Greek community on your campus through programs and speakers.