Coming Out

[Mr. Smithers]

I'm 17 and I have come out to everybody at my school. All my friends know I'm gay and all of my teachers do.

But I have yet to tell any of my family members. I think my sister thinks I am but I haven't told my Mom or Dad or anybody.

I'm afraid on how they would react.

Should I wait until I'm 18 or ask if we could go to the park or something to tell them?

[crash007]

How long do you think you can keep it from them. if everyone at ur school knows and ur parents find out from a teacher or word of mouth it would probably be worse then if you tell them. However, it also depends on their stance on homosexuality. If you think that you will feel more comfortable telling them when you are 18, and dont think your parents will find out before then, then that would probably be your best option. But it all depends on how comfortable you are about it.

[chris__robin]

its always harder to tell your family than friends.

all of my friends, work and uni friends know that i am gay and have a boyfriend, but i still find it hard to mention it to my family (except my sis)... i think that you should wait for the right moment to mention it and when you are confident with yourself ... if you think they might get angry and kick you out of home (i dunno if they could be like that) then maybe wait till you are 18 or you have a friend you can lean on or stay over if something goes wrong.

[mden]

its always harder to tell your family than friends.

all of my friends, work and uni friends know that i am gay and have a boyfriend, but i still find it hard to mention it to my family (except my sis)... i think that you should wait for the right moment to mention it and when you are confident with yourself ... if you think they might get angry and kick you out of home (i dunno if they could be like that) then maybe wait till you are 18 or you have a friend you can lean on or stay over if something goes wrong.

I agree one hundred percent.

[Malcolm Tucker]

Yes it is harder to tell your family, but you cannot hide it. Eventually someone will percieve you've told them and they will find out. I would wait until you are 100% comefortable and assured they will accept you. Parents are supposed to be loving and supporting, and more than likely if they are then they will accept you for who you are. If they are still shocked, try reassuring them like: "I am still your son" and stuff like that. Wait until they are both calm and relaxed. In otherwards if one has justnhad an argument don't do it then. Just in case.

[IfPiratesCouldFly]

Well the best idea would be to tell them rather than let them find out on their own, ease the blow. I don't know how your parents are, some parents dont take things well others do. If they're understanding about most things, then they'll under stand that. If not, I can't really tell you :/

[Requin]

First, well done for telling your entire school, that's hard and takes alot of courage. But your family will find out sooner or later so you might as well get on with it. Actually you could either wait for them to find out, or tell them, anohter hting to decide.
P.S You could talk to other Gay people who came out to their parents and ask thier advice, or you could go on websites like avert.org and have a look their, or do both.

[Mr. Smithers]

I have decided to come out to them in a few weeks.

If they don't accept me for who I am then they must not really love me.

[IfPiratesCouldFly]

Good luck Fezzie :3, like I said, I don't know your parents, but I'd hope they'd accept you.

[Mr. Smithers]

Thank you for supporting me. My parents are very nice people and I really don't know their views on homosexuality.