Allan, Quentin2025-06-302025-06-3022/05/2024Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, ISSN: 2079-7222 (Print); 1445-7377 (Online), Informa UK Limited, 24(1), e2343656-. doi: 10.1080/20797222.2024.23436562079-72221445-7377http://hdl.handle.net/10292/19410Given the residual homonegativity in evidence throughout our diverse communities, and given the large numbers of gay people who remain “in the closet”, it is critical that we seek to understand in greater depth the complexities of the coming-out process with a view to dispelling some of the confusion relating to sexual identity. Internalised homophobia is more widespread than generally acknowledged, and it manifests in a variety of ways, including the sociological phenomenon of gay men remaining closeted until well into middle age. This article applies a hermeneutic phenomenological lens to examine the process of realisation, where an individual gradually becomes aware of his sexual orientation, and eventually acknowledges to himself that he is gay. This process can take decades. For this research project, twelve participants (gay men who have come out after the age of 40) from Aotearoa New Zealand willingly shared intensely personal accounts of their lived experiences. The findings indicate that individuals experience clarity about same-sex attraction in strikingly different ways. This study helps us to understand the difficulties faced by men who have lived the majority of their lives as “straight”, then in middle age find themselves having to negotiate the tortuous terrain between heterosexuality and a new gay identity.© The Author. Open Access article distributed in terms of theCreative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)5003 Philosophy50 Philosophy and Religious StudiesSexual and Gender Minorities (SGM/LGBT*)Mental health2099 Other Language, Communication and Culture2203 Philosophy5003 Philosophyawarenesshermeneutic phenomenologyhomonegativityhomophobiahomosexual mensexual identityDisclosureJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1080/20797222.2024.2343656