What should I do if no one in this town really likes gay people, but maybe a hand full? Should I tell everyone? Should I tell my parents? Because my parents hate gay people completely. They think it’s not right at all they think it is just wrong for a guy to like a guy. But I’m gay! I know I’m gay I’ve know for about two years. Or should I just wait to tell everyone when I get out of my parents house and have my own house? Well thank you!
This sounds like a really tough situation. In our society there is a lot of homophobia — fear and hatred of people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Homophobia is caused by ignorance, or other kinds of misinformation and lack of understanding about what gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are really like.
While coming out — telling people you’re gay — can be a great experience for teens who have support from their families and communities, it sounds like you may not have this kind of acceptance. If coming out means that you risk losing your place in the family and its emotional and financial support, you may need to wait until you can find a way to support yourself. You should also think about whether coming out could put you in any physical danger.
In the meantime, the website OutProud has information, resources, and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender teens who are coming out or thinking of coming out. Good luck.
Tags: sexual orientation, coming out, homophobia