At Home
Being gay at home...
For many young lesbian, gay and bisexual people it is important to them to be accepted at home, because obviously this is the place where you spend a lot of your time and your home should be a place where you feel happy and safe. Visit the coming out page for more information.
Although most lesbian, gay and bisexual people are accepted by the people they live with at home, not everyone’s experience is the same. Some LGBT young people feel isolated and alone in a place that should keep them safe and for some this is very distressing.
How will my parents react?
Many gay young people think that parents aren't going to accept them when they come out. This is often not the case. Your parents love and support you and this shouldn't change just because you've told them that you're gay, lesbian or bisexual. In fact this may bring you closer together, as your parents will respect the fact that you've been brave and honest enough to tell them. However, sometimes parents need so time to adjust to the situation. Maybe you weren't over the moon when you first realised that you were gay or bisexual and its the same for other people. Give your parents some time to understand. Don't be afraid to talk to them about your feelings - even if it is a bit awkward. Often even the most unaccepting of parents will come around.
Do I have to tell my parents?
In an ideal world you should be able to tell everybody about your sexuality - but unfortunately not everybody lives in an accepting home. Sometimes parents may be very homophobic (anti-gay) and therefore young LGBT people may not want to tell their parents. If you think that you're parents are homophobic then why not wait a while before you tell them. If you're under the age of 18 then it might be better for you not to tell your parents - but that's okay! Everybody should have the choice of who they tell and when, so don't worry if you don't want to tell your parents straight away. You also might want to turn to a friend or somebody else for some support.
For many young lesbian, gay and bisexual people it is important to them to be accepted at home, because obviously this is the place where you spend a lot of your time and your home should be a place where you feel happy and safe. Visit the coming out page for more information.
Although most lesbian, gay and bisexual people are accepted by the people they live with at home, not everyone’s experience is the same. Some LGBT young people feel isolated and alone in a place that should keep them safe and for some this is very distressing.
How will my parents react?
Many gay young people think that parents aren't going to accept them when they come out. This is often not the case. Your parents love and support you and this shouldn't change just because you've told them that you're gay, lesbian or bisexual. In fact this may bring you closer together, as your parents will respect the fact that you've been brave and honest enough to tell them. However, sometimes parents need so time to adjust to the situation. Maybe you weren't over the moon when you first realised that you were gay or bisexual and its the same for other people. Give your parents some time to understand. Don't be afraid to talk to them about your feelings - even if it is a bit awkward. Often even the most unaccepting of parents will come around.
Do I have to tell my parents?
In an ideal world you should be able to tell everybody about your sexuality - but unfortunately not everybody lives in an accepting home. Sometimes parents may be very homophobic (anti-gay) and therefore young LGBT people may not want to tell their parents. If you think that you're parents are homophobic then why not wait a while before you tell them. If you're under the age of 18 then it might be better for you not to tell your parents - but that's okay! Everybody should have the choice of who they tell and when, so don't worry if you don't want to tell your parents straight away. You also might want to turn to a friend or somebody else for some support.