How did you come out to your parents?
I transferred to an all girls school in my second year of High School, one I'd previously refused to go to (secretly because I was unsure if learning in a female-only environment was a good idea). I told myself I could get through High School if I appeared normal so I dated a couple of guys, which really affected my self esteem. I kidded myself into thinking I could be bisexual - which was what I said when I first came out to my Mum when I was 15.
What did you say?
We were at an intersection waiting for the lights to change listening to the radio. Something about a member of a boyband coming out. Mum gave me a strange look and I turned the radio off and blurted out that I was bisexual. She brushed it off, said it was the 'in' thing, a phase or something like that. And nothing was mentioned about it until my stepdad came to me one day and asked in passing if I preferred chicks tongues down my throat.
That was four years ago. I am no longer trying to hide who I am and am happily lesbian. And as long as I'm happy and my parents are happy in their own way, I see no point in trying to make them accept something I don't think they understand. Their tolerance is enough- for now.
Advice
- Don't say anything on a whim, people are more likely to take you seriously if you've planned ahead.
- Don't feel bad for coming out as one thing then a few years down the track, realize you're something else.
- Labels are for soupcans.
- You wouldn't like having a religion shoved down your throat so don't be offended if they react badly.
- Tolerance and acceptance are two different things.
- Hope for the best and expect the worst.
