Final answer:
Coming out is the act of openly expressing one's gay, lesbian, or bisexual orientation, and it's a personal process that occurs at different times for each individual. Conversion therapy is harmful and illegal in some states. Sexual orientation, including being gay, lesbian, or bisexual, is part of a fluid spectrum of identities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coming out is the process by which a gay, lesbian, or bisexual individual openly expresses his/her sexual orientation. This process involves communicating one's emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to others. While some individuals may feel comfortable disclosing their orientation at an early age, societal pressures can make this a difficult step for others. It is important to recognize that this process is very personal, and the timing and manner in which one comes out are unique to each individual.
In contrast, 'outing' is the act of disclosing someone else's sexual orientation without their consent, which can be harmful and invasive. Furthermore, practices such as conversion or reparative therapy, which aim to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual, have been deemed dangerous and are illegal in some states.
The terms gay, lesbian, and bisexual are part of a broader spectrum of sexual orientations, including pansexual and asexual identities. It's important to understand that sexual orientation is fluid, and people should be free to self-identify in a way that is most authentic to them without fear of discrimination or coercion.