[Kory]

My family doesn’t know I’m bisexual. There has never been a good time to come out to them, even though I’ve been female-oriented almost five years. I guess I could have told my parents several times, but there’s one problem: My little brother. He is in high school, and at that age where he really really wants to be cool. We live in a very small town, and most people are closed-minded – the high school is horrible. I have seen on two separate occasions where gay kids were forced to leave the school district because the ridicule and hate was so great. My brother is homophobic, and I am really worried about what he’ll say or do when he finds out. I also worry about what the other kids will do to him if they find out he has a bi sister. Any suggestions on how I should approach him or this situation?

User Detail :  

Name : Kory, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : College Age, City : Near Flint, State : MI, Country : United States, Occupation : Student/Electrical Apprentice, 

[Patrick S.]

In regard to your family, make sure you have a place you can live if coming out to your family doesn’t go well. I knew my parents could possibly throw me out when I came out to them, so I waited until I was able to support myself. When I told them, they threw me out. Luckily, I foresaw this, planned and could “quickly” move out. After a year, my mother and most of my brothers have accepted me. My father is still another matter. I think he’ll eventually come around. So prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Once you’re able to support yourself, definitely come out to your family, but make sure you have supportive friends first during the tough times ahead. You’ll find that once you’ve dealt with coming out to your parents, life will definitely become easier to deal with, and you’ll be able to be more accepting of yourself. There will be a few months (or a year) of family heart-ache ahead, but after that, it’ll be worth it. As far as your brother’s high school, it’s up to him to spread your personal life through high school. You’re not there any more to do that.

User Detail :  

Name : Patrick S., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 24, City : Dallas, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Programmer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Mike20441]

Kory, Head the previous advice – however scarey it may sound. I have recovered from a ‘near-Flint’ childhood and I know the sort of behaviour your brother has been taught. There is a whole world out here that is fantastically accepting of non-majority orientations. If you want to include your family in your evolving world, you must broach the subject. You know your family best but in the end, be true to yourself. Be prepared if they don’t want to share in your enlightened experiences.

User Detail :  

Name : Mike20441, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 37, City : London, State : NA, Country : United Kingdom, Occupation : Manager, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Author]

Posts