How do I come out to my parents?

Coming out is a very nerve-inducing thing. First, make sure you are in a safe environment. While, coming out is very important, making sure you stay safe is the most important. Once you know you will be safe, or have a safe place to go after you come out to your parents, it would be best to have a calm conversation about it. Some parents may be shocked, and some will take it better than others. It is best to stay calm and explain where you are coming from, and explain you experiences. Overall, make sure you stay safe, and if worse comes to worse, do not take any disrespect from your parents. They may be your parents, but if they tell you at any point they don't respect your identity or try to convince you your not what you say you are, you don't have to listen to them.

Make sure you're safe first! Bring up the concept of LGBTQ+ people, issues, news, or the community and see how your parents respond. If it's not safe, don't come out until you're living alone and financially independent. Now for the fun part: if it IS safe to come out, do so on your own time, without pressure, at a time they'll be open and be able to process it. At the dinner table, or ask to speak with them privately. Not while they're driving or otherwise distracted or upset. Good luck! You've got a whole community of supportive people behind you!

Well first I'd hope you're sure that your parents won't treat you poorly or anything horrible like that before anything else. As freeing as coming out can feel, your safety should come before it. Don't rush yourself. You can take your time until you're sure you're ready. There's no pressure to act right now if you aren't sure. Now onto the actual coming out. Depending on how strict/conservative your parents are will most likely change the approach. Thankfully, mine are for the most part chill, so I could get away with mentioning it in passing. And don't be afraid to get creative! I've seen some people come out with rainbow cakes or funny shirts. One friend of mine just gets away with making a rather fruity, off-hand comment. :) Some of my friends, however, didn't get off so easily. They sat their parents down over dinner, and prefaced the conversation with the note that it would be a more serious one. Then, just be honest! How you feel is incredibly important and sharing that part of you feels like such a weight off your shoulders if you can. I wish you the best of luck! Stay safe, I'm rooting for you!

First of all, there's no reason to be embarrassed. You are completely fine as you are. Second of all I would suggest coming out during maybe dinner, or a time around there. It's a good, peaceful time. You can maybe mention relationships, and if it seems like it going well. Then subtly mention that you might think that you are gay, and what they think about it. If you have good, respectful parents. Then they should accept it. Just don't worry, and just know that they are there to support you, and love you. It shouldn't be anything really serious.

The best method of coming out is dependent on one's living situation, their parent's views on the LGBT community, and one's comfort level with difficult conversations and conflict. Testing your parents' tolerance level is a good first step. Discussing LGBT-related news or watching shows with LGBT characters with your parents allows you to gage their reactions and attitudes towards the LGBT community and determine if they're likely to be supportive of you or not. If you know or suspect your parents will be supportive, then you have less to worry about. You can have a face-to-face conversation with your parents, perhaps casually while spending time with them, or more formally, asking them to sit down and have a discussion with you. If face-to-face conversation makes you nervous, texting them or leaving them a letter gives them time to process your coming out before face-to-face interaction occurs. Alternately, if coming out is a light-hearted event for you, you can come out to them in any number of creative ways. The sky's the limit! If you suspect your parents will not support you, your coming out will need to be more tactful. Having a plan, such as by packing a bag in advance and determining where you'll stay if they kick you out or become very angry, ensures you won't be caught off guard if something bad happens. Having a collection of educational reading material on LGBT topics for your parents can answer questions they have and help them begin to understand LGBT topics. Beyond this, the previous advice holds. Initiate the conversation in whatever form you're most comfortable (i.e. face-to-face, text, letter, etc.).

Coming out to your parents can be a traumatic and sometimes dangerous experience. You should always make sure that your parents are calm, and happy to listen, and avoid coming out during an argument, because timing can be very important. You should talk calmly and confidently to your parents and show them that you have made your decision, and that they can’t change that. It is also a good idea to have someone you can trust to fall back on if things do go badly. I hope that this can help you out, and that you can safely be who you are.

I don't know your parents. But if they're good parents, they'll love you no matter what you'll come out as. Before you do come out, make sure they're not the type of people to punish you for it by kicking you out of the house. Unfortunately, it is sometimes better to stay in the closet even though it hurts not to be accepted as you really are. If you feel that it's safe to come out, what I think I did was lead up to coming out with conversations on related topics. When I came out as an atheist, I think I was talking to my mom about what I had learned about evolution in school. I think I admitted that I didn't see a need for there to be a God for things to exist as they do. Sometimes, parents will ask you up front if you have a certain identity. When I got my hair cut short and started wearing men's clothes, my mom straight up asked me if I was transgender, and I said yes. You can also just be yourself and let your parents figure out your identity. If they see you dating the same sex, they'll know you're not straight. If you tell them you're going to a certain religious institution, they'll guess you're probably a member of that religion.

If you are unsure whether they are accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, ask them how they feel on the issue. For example, “hey mom, how do you feel about gay marriage being legalized in the US?” Simply tell them. “Mom/Dad, I’m ___.” Tell them that this is who you are, and being LGBTQ+ is not a choice. Remind them that you are still the kid they have raised and loved, but more importantly, tell them that this is part of who you are and who you have always been. Remember regardless of their reaction, you are valid, cared for and respected.

I think there is no right or wrong way to come out. Some people come out with a well-timed joke and others prepare for a coming out party for weeks. Some people tell their families immediately and some wait until they have a spouse. I think at the end of the day it is finding what is comfortable and safe for you in the situation. There is no set timeline or checkbox to click when it comes to living authentically as ourselves. Go at your own pace and keep your safety and wellbeing in mind. Understand that parents are only human and even if you find the perfect way to come out, they may still not respond in the way that you hope. That does not necessarily mean that they love you any less, they may have some personal fears or baggage to work through. The good news is that there are all sorts of groups online and in person for parents of LGBTQ+ children to find each other and work through their baggage and many parents find those very helpful. I have known people, myself, who came out to their parents by handing them the information for one of these groups and suggesting their parents attend.

A way to come out to your parents is try t get them to support LGBTQ before you come out! That way when you do, they support you! If they don't support you, then they aren't real parents! It is ok! You can start by telling them love is love and that it doesn't matter to them! No one is hurting them (your parents, family, friends etc.) physically by expressing who they love! They are your parents and show support you and love you in any way no matter who or what you like! Hope that this helps you! Good luck! ❤️