The present study experimentally investigated the effect of concealment and outness of a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity on their self-esteem. This was strictly restricted to LGBTQIA+ individuals. A survey was taken using online platforms, and the participants (N=289) were asked a series of questions in order to measure their concealment using the ‘Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale’, their outness using the ‘Outness Inventory’ and their self-esteem using the ‘Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale’. The results display an obvious effect, with the self-esteem being directly proportional to their outness and indirectly proportional to their concealment. While factors such as parental support, depression and anxiety are frequently studied in LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-esteem and outness rarely are. This study has severe implications, taking into account that a person’s self-esteem might take a huge hit even if they have accepted themselves, due to them having to be closeted. It necessitates the need for a community, for psychoeducation of the masses and for establishing ways in order to help the individual come out, previously largely being focused on self-acceptance alone.

Keywords : Self-esteem, Outness, Concealment, LGBTQIA+