I’m only 16 years old today, but I tried to come out to my parents when I was barely 14. I had a boyfriend at the time who I was crazy about. My mom took up my phone because I was texting too late and I just started crying because I didn’t want her to find out who I was talking to. A couple minutes later she called me into the other room and asked me why I was so upset. I said “Mom…I can’t tell you, you’ll hate me.” When she called my dad into the room I just had to say “I’m gay” to both of them.
I was so scared, and expected a horrid reaction, but it didn’t seem that bad at first. But over the course of the next week, I argued with them about how it wasn’t a choice, how I couldn’t help it, and they just told me how wrong and bad I was. After all the trouble, I was forced to go back into the closet to them, so once again they think I’m straight. I’m just glad I have greats friends and brothers who I can tell anything to and who can really except me for who I am.
Thank you for your story Andre. You have learned early the the power of chosen family and you will continue to be able to surround yourself with wonderful, supportive people no matter how your parents treat you. You are strong and will figure out how to navigate your future successfully.
Best of luck to you. You’re already off to a great start.
Andre, thanks for sharing your story. You seem like a pretty strong guy with good sense. Do what you need to do and don’t let anybody tell you the “right way” to do things. But, don’t hide too long from your family…they need your honesty. Trust me when I say this because it’s from experience.
My best to you, brother!
J
It’s relieving (if a bit awkward) to read a similar story to my own. You’re not alone. That week after, my mom told me I should live alone, that I would get AIDS, hinted at throwing me out of the house.
I can’t believe you did it at 14. I couldn’t say it to them until I was 20.