So yesterday was National Coming Out day. The day to tell those selected people that you're gay, or indeed tell them your "coming out story".
I'll start you off with the lovely Portia de Rossi's take on the whole situation.
[My sexuality is] a part of me that I really like. But it's not the totality of me. It's not a passion of mine to become political in any way, but I do think it's important to see gay men and women having big careers and very full, rich lives.(Source | AfterEllen)
Amen. I personally agree with every word.
Okay, my turn.
I knew I was gay from the time I was around 8 years old. It wasn't until I was 14 that I got my first girlfriend and told my closes friends that I was attracted to women, but they accepted it straight away and didn't give it a second though. (I guess that's just my generation). I must have been around 16 when my parents found out.
My Mother, bless her, caught me watching The L Word, and asked me if I was gay. When I said yes, she reacted in a bad way. She came home from work crying on several occasions, and my Dad said it made him feel sick. Out of guilt, I told her I was kidding, and I went back in the closet for another year.
However, I couldn't stay in there for long - it wasn't who I was. Playing "straight" wasn't my forte, even if I did look kinda femme. This time, they were much more angry about it. Not upset, but angry. But after time, I introduced my parents to a girl I was in a serious relationship with.
They didn't like it, but they accepted it. They even let her stay over at my house; something that a couple of years previously wouldn't have even been an option.
So my "story" isn't the most thrilling and it's filled with passive aggressive homophobia, but it's still mine. I'm so proud of my parents now, because they accept me for who I am.
Which reminds me: it does get better.
Now it's your turn.
Tell me your coming out stories below! Maybe yours is funnier or happier than mine.
Don't be shy!
4 comments:
I am still in the closet but I love my family and don't want to lose them! You might think you arent helping anyone, but this was really inspiring!!!
-Love your blog, a follower
Thank you for your kind comments, it is nice to know I am of some help :)
I was completely enamored with my first serious girlfriend (about 18 years old I think). We spent every waking moment together. We were both lipstick lesbians so I didn't think anyone could tell....except for my dear old dad apparently who could read me like a book! He caught me at home one day and asked me to step outside. We walked to the edge of the yard in silence (I thought something TERRIBLE had happened!!! Did grandma die?!?)
When we stopped, he turned to me and said, "Kid, is Ashley just a friend or....MORE than a friend........."
I was so floored by his question that my jaw just dropped open and I couldn't form any words into a sentence and just stood there, jaw dropped, staring at him like...what do I say?!?!? I've never thought about this situation before and how to handle it... Definitely was not prepared for this accusation...
He waited a moment and then smacked me on the back and said, "That's what I thought kiddo! I love ya and it doesn't matter to me!" He walked straight inside with me tailing his feet and walked right up to Ashley and gave her a big hug and said, "Welcome to the family!" She appeared to be devastated in 'what just happened here' kinda way.
The whole day was quite spectacular. He ended up calling everyone in the family and telling them. It was my turn to be devastated :] (in a good way of course)
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