Hello, I am an 11-year-old lesbian, who wasn’t ready to come out to my parents, but they found out. They firmly believe that I am straight and that I am too young to know this information. Little do they know I’ve known this since I was 6 years old, and I am ready for the hatred that’s out there I’ve been looking for advice but due to COVID 19 I can’t find any.
HELP YOURSELF:
• Coming out to anyone can be one of the hardest things you can do. The Teen Central community is proud of you. Thanks for trusting us with your story!
• TeenCentral.com has many resources dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. Under the “Learn” tab there is information regarding sexuality and the LGBTQ+ community. This info could be helpful to you during your process of coming out. Remember, your story is yours and only yours to tell.
• Coming out can be an amazing experience to establish your own identity and understand what fits for you. And it is different for everyone. If you feel like you can’t talk to your parents, is there another trusted adult or older peer that can support you through this process? Consider who you can enlist if you needed support, ask that trusted and safe person to help advocate for you. It is also important to tell them what you need from them.
CONSIDER THIS:
• This is a time in your life where you should explore yourself and learn about relationships that are important to you. It can be really helpful to write down your emotions and thoughts on papers. Have you ever tried writing in a journal? With the uncertainties of the world right now, venting your emotions can help ease your mind. You can write about anything that comes to you. Check out the Teen Central blog post under the “What’s New” for some journal prompts.
• Remember that there may be people in your life that will have some not so great reactions to you and your story. This type of rejection can have a big impact on you emotionally. To prepare for this, put some thought into what coping skills you can use if this happens. What are the things that bring your comfort when you are overwhelmed? What supports can you rely on if things get rough?
• Take some breaths. Things can seem overwhelming, but remember you have the right to feel safe and weigh the risk and benefits associated with coming out.
