Facebook
My name is Zach, and I have just started coming out as a gay teenager. I am afraid to tell my family, especially my parents that im gay, because Im afraid what they might think. My parents and family have high religious values and so don't I, but I find homsexuality to be a normal part of life, where my parents believe it means an abomination from heaven, and a one way ticket to hell! Can anyone, please, give me advice on how to approach my parents with this issue. Im proud of who I am and I just want my parents to love me!
Get email updates and action alerts:
To decide to come out to your family is a very personal decision, so know when can tell you when is the right time. The right or best time to come out to your family is when you decide that a particular time is the right time.
Coming out to ones family can be really difficult because you don't know how they will respond. They could be very supportive or not so much. Because coming out to your parents can mean so many things, I would be prepared for all the possibilities. If you have any relatives/family friends that you trust and that will support,maybe when you decide you are ready that you invite them into the conversation with your parents. Also, it is important to have people in your corner that will support you if your parents at first do not.
I would also encourage you to read a lot of the materials to be ready to answer their questions. They may have many many questions, so by preparing in advance you not only will be ready to answer their questions, you would have also had to clarify your own thoughts and feelings.
In short, I would encourage you to come out to them when you are ready, find someone (maybe a family friend/relative) that you trust and who will support you if things don't go the way you like, and try to anticipate thier questions and have responses ready.
Here are some more resources for you to help you on your journey.
youthresource- http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/main.cfm?actionid=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpCampaignShow&campaign=youthresource&htmlUid=11b70c19-41dc-4f4e-b090-73a326b89793&s=amplify.
Soulforce- http://www.soulforce.org/.
Hope you're doing well. Just wanted to leave this message here since you've posted on a couple of blog posts across this site.
Regarding advice about your situation, I'd read through Durryle's comment above. I wanted to flag this part especially:
"I would encourage you to come out to them when you are ready, find someone (maybe a family friend/relative) that you trust and who will support you if things don't go the way you like, and try to anticipate their questions and have responses ready."
Also see the links that Durryle included above. Take care!