How can I tell my parents that I'm gay?

Gender and sexuality is two different things. Choosing sexuality or choosing gender is impossible for one and another, it is important to know that and let others know. Your family can't force you to live a lie. They can even send you to a therapist but in the end you choose your own life. Being gay or being lesbian is something people can not control, people might bw judgemental but you should be proud of yourself. I can not imagine why people define love only between a male and a female. Love is love, it can be found in a friendship, in female and female, male and male or the opposite. I am a bisexual by choice and proud of being one. Not because I'm attracted to females but because I know love can be found in both genders. You have to say your parents that you are gay and proud of being one. They can be a part of your life if they want to but if they can't accept you for who you are then you'll live your life anyway because you can't choose something like that. Once they get that they might need some time but in the end they are your parents, they wouldn't want to lose you. Just give them some time and live your life proudly as you should.

I think a lot depends on you, your age, what your parents are like, your relationship with your parents, and your financial situation. For example, are your parents generally supportive and loving? Have you been able to discuss difficult issues with them in the past? Or, perhaps, is one of them (or both) volatile, reactive and prone to angry outbursts? Do your parents view homosexuality as a reality that is part of normal life, or do they view it as a terrible sin? Are you 18 and financially dependent on then for everything, or are you 26 and financially independent? Do your brothers and sisters already know? Are you happy and confident in your sexuality? In my experience, some parents are not surprised at all, and have been pretty sure for years. They're okay with it. Some parents may be upset and grieve for a while. And others may react quite strongly -- so I think the method and timing of the disclosure will depend to some extent on these factors. To read personal stories about how gay and lesbian individuals have told THEIR parents, you can go to the Forum here at 7 Cups to get ideas about what has worked for others. Plus, there is a chat room at 7 Cups devoted specifically to LGBTQ+ issues, and the members there can provide suggestions and support. In addition, some of the Listeners are experienced in this category and will be happy to support you in a one-to-one chat. Wishing all the best to you and your family!!

Just sit down with them and have a nice and calm conversation. Be honest with them and tell them how you really feel.

It depends how you would want them to find out. If you want it to be straight up and not very descriptive tell them about a person you like and include the gender. If you want to actually sit down and explain then tell them you need to talk and explain how you feel for the gender you like.

Tell them that you have to talk to them about something serious and aware them that it is something that MIGHT hurt them. Then in a calm tone tell them

Have you tried to have a general conversation with your parents about that particular subject, to see what they might think?

Honestly speaking The best way to tell your parents that you are gay is to say to them that "Mom & dad I don't how you will feel about it & How will you react, but this time I can't help myself. I am Homosexual." Sure this is the hardest way to say but trust me this is the rightest way to tell them. you don't need to make up stories just to tell who you are.

I would just tell them, you're their kid and i'm sure they'll love you no matter what! And if they dont except it at first im sure they will once they know you're happy!

Openly admit it, trying to rant about something else and then leading into it can cause more hurt to your parents. Just tell them how you feel, and you're just attracted to what you're attracted too.

There is no single, sure-fire way of telling your parents that you are lesbian or gay. Just as no two families are exactly the same so the method, even the words, will vary from one family to the next. But many reactions are common to all families, and knowing this, it is often possible to work out the best method for your family. Very few parents imagine that their children could possibly be lesbian or gay. Even those who may have had suspicions still feel shocked, sad or angry when confronted with the fact. Try to understand this. You have had, perhaps, several years to gradually come to terms with the fact that you are lesbian or gay. Your parents, when you tell them will have had no time at all. Although teenagers sometimes find it difficult to accept that no one knows them as well as their parents there is no denying that they have watched you develop from birth to the present moment. So they will find it hard to accept that there is a side to you they never knew about. In the immediate reaction there are certain things that nearly all parents say. These include "How can you be sure at your age?" "I went through a phase like this, you'll grow out of it". "You haven't tried hard enough with the opposite sex", and, ominously, "What about this terrible AIDS?" These are difficult things to answer if you feel at all unsure of yourself. If you are young and under the age of consent legally, after a recent equalisation of the law in the United Kingdom, 16 for both homosexuals and heterosexuals (Age of consent in other countries) remember there are two aspects to your situation. The first one is your homosexual feelings, and the second one is your sexual experience, if any. You should therefore carefully consider to what extent you are going to reveal yourself to your parents. Be very careful in countries where homosexuality is illegal. Homophobia (hatred or prejudice against homosexuals) has many forms but it is based upon ignorance and can be dispelled by knowledge. Remember your parents will have to consider how they will deal with relatives, neighbours, friends, and perhaps their employers or the local church who may become aware that you are lesbian or gay. Try to understand this concern, perhaps point out that you too have to deal in greater measure with the hatred of others. Your parents' reaction may be to become overprotective. Remember that to balance all the homophobia, there exists a lot of positive and enlightened thought and attitudes.