Coming out to family?

[KillerKing]

Are there any benefits really? I mean, I'm openly Bi, and I have a girlfriend and she knows and so do my friends but I'm way to scared to come out to any of my family! Do you think it's even possible to go my whole life without telling them?

[Jakes001]

You know, there was a time in my life where I thought I would just live my whole life in the closet, in my mind I somehow saw myself having boyfriends even without coming out, and I saw myself being happy. But what it came down to, for me, was that if I hadn't told my mom, my family, all of the issues I struggle with (not just sexuality) I wouldn't be as healthy as I am today. Situations change and some day you might find yourself in a place where you need to have someone to vent to that isn't a friend or a partner, someone who has a love for you that isn't forged but innate, and that's where family is important, because no matter how long it takes for them to get it, for some it's easier than others, even the chance of being able to be completely you with them, to make jokes about it and laugh and not feel that anxiety, is worth the pain and fear that comes along with coming out to your family. You just have to ask yourself, do you want and need them? Because if you never make that step you'll never satisfy the part of you that needs them, and the question of if they'll accept you will always remain hypothetical. Staying in the closet is like staying in purgatory, sure it's not terrible, the weather is plain and you can get by, but that knot in your chest will never unravel, you'll never have a chance of being truly happy unless you shoot for heaven.

[CrossingtheCourtyard]

Say that one day in like, five-ten years you are in a relationship with a guy. Totally in love with each other and whatnot. Wouldn't it be nice for your family to know? What would happen if you two decided to move in with each other and live your lives together. Wouldn't you want your family to know that he's not just your friend or roommate or something?

Or, say you are dating a guy at some time in the near future. You've mentioned to your family you are dating someone new and they say 'Hey, tell us about her' or 'Why not bring her home so we can meet the lucky girl?' And then you bring a guy home. Awkward. I mean, sure that is an option for coming out, but, might not be the best one.

It's all up to you, really. If you're comfortable not telling your family that you are bisexual, that's fine too. I don't mean to sound like a douche, it just seems to me it'd be best if they knew.

Though, I'm a hypocrite. I haven't come out to my family, but I'll get around to it someday.

Oh, and as for 'benefits' well, I guess they'll know more about a important part of you, and you won't feel like you're hiding something, blah, blah. Y'know, that kinda stuff. It might be nice to get it off your chest, then you might not feel as scared.

Of course, there might be some negative drawbacks too. Some people are biphobic. I have had a family member talk to me about how they think bisexuals are likely to have diseases and to transmit them to others because "They fuck both" and that they need to "Choose one." But, you've come out to your friends and your girlfriend, haven't you? You knew that some of them might react like that. It's the same thing. Just... think it over, be careful, do what you think is best for you.

[wattado]

my dad is biphobic he is okay with the other two but not bisexuals. do watever your comfortable with. if all the important people know then you should be good