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How can I cope with my family not accepting me as being gay?

Profile: positiveWhisper24
positiveWhisper24 on Mar 31, 2015
LGBTQ+ Issues Expert
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An excellent resource for this question is the It Gets Better project on YouTube. Just go onto YouTube and search It Gets Better. Millions of people in your exact situation have made videos telling their story about how it was hard, and how it got better.
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Profile: Selendis
Selendis on Jun 8, 2015
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Society is not ready to accept LGBTQ... That's why this social movement exists. For now it's just your family and later it could be more people everywhere: university, work, etc... But what important is that your life is not their life. Today it's very hard to be yourself but people who can do it end with true life and true love. You can get help from people who accept you. Today we're trying to change the state of this world. More and more people are becoming ready to accept us. When we can't change people in the group around us, even when it's your family, we should not give up, we still can switch the group in future. But try to be a Listener for what your family tell to you. Be honest and say everything that you feel. If you will see that your family is not ready to change then it's their way but you will be proud of being honest with yourself and that gives motivation to be yourself.
Profile: Serenity1964
Serenity1964 on Sep 22, 2015
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This is one of the most difficult issues to deal with for LGBTQ+ people. Not being accepted by your family is painful, but the best thing you can do is learn to accept yourself. It also helps to build friendships with other LGBTQ+ people who can support you and are willing to accept you for who you really are.
Profile: TaylorK17
TaylorK17 on Mar 31, 2015
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Not being accepted right away can be very difficult. But people do change. It took you some time to feel confident enough in your sexuality to come out, give your family a little time to accept the same thing. It may take longer than you'd like, but I promise it gets better, and people change.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 8, 2015
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I understand how this would cause a big concern for you. It must be really hard tp cope with this, and I want you to know that you are not alone. Unfortunately, you cannot control the actions or feelings of others. You could try hanging out more with friends or find some people who have or are experiencing the same type of issue you are going through with your family.
Profile: plumnectarine
plumnectarine on May 18, 2015
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Understand that your family doesn't define you. The important thing is that you accept who you are; others will follow
Profile: QueenlyFlowers
QueenlyFlowers on Feb 8, 2016
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If your family doesn't accept you being gay you shouldn't let it beat you up. You told them the truth and its up to them accept it or not . But their always gonna love you no matter what.
Profile: Greatlistener87
Greatlistener87 on Jun 21, 2016
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Sometimes having family members who are traditional minded can be tough. Sometimes you will just have to show them that you are happy just the say you are and that your choice is final.
Profile: NorahListens
NorahListens on Jul 7, 2020
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Having unsupportive parents can be really challenging. I'm so sorry you are going through this! My number one tip is that you could find other people who accept you for who you are, like friends, other relatives, neighbours, teachers, etc. You could also interact with people online - in fact, we have an amazing community dedicated to LGBTQ+ support right here on 7 cups. If you're comfortable, you could talk to your parents about this, and gently tell them that it is okay to be gay. But please be careful if you do this, and make sure it is safe to tell them.
Profile: TaintedHaze
TaintedHaze on Feb 29, 2016
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I like the way you worded this question. That's exactly it, you 'cope' with it. You can't change how your parents think just as much as they can't change your sexuality. But with knowing this they should know that your sexuality doesn't define nor change who you already were. You are still the child they raised and having a preference of who you love doesn't change that at all. Parents need to learn that not accepting their children being gay is not accepting their children for who they are. But that is a fault on their part and not your own.
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