I’ve never really been comfortable telling my family about anything that went on in my life as far as school or situations I’ve been battling in my head. I choose to privately deal with my inner demons. I’ve learned that my family is very fault-finding. Recently,  I was watching TV with my Granny. A commercial came on about condoms, and I knew she was going to have a bunch of rude comments. She did. 

“So what? These people gay?” 

I said, “Yes.”

“That’s a damn shame.” Then she asked me if I was gay knowing that my mom and dad was right in the kitchen. I knew that she was trying to put me on the spot. because a few weeks before I was joking around with her and my sister saying I was gay but also being serious at the same time. I also made it clear that my mom knew before them.

Last year I bought someone a Valentine’s Day present and I told my mom who it was. At first I was going to leave her guessing whether or not me and that person was dating. But the way my mind works is to not keep secrets from the people you’d get in the most trouble with. And at the time I hadn’t told my dad and I just planned to leave my granny and sister clueless because I didn’t really care about their opinions… so I told my mom I had to tell her something important.

I said “I like girls” with this nervous type of smile on my face, hoping that she wouldn’t  give me a whole lecture about whether or not she accepted me, but just accepting me. She could tell by my face that I didn’t want to get too personal about it.

Anyways, I wasn’t embarrassed, though I knew that’s what Granny tried to do. So I gave this unkind smirk.

I said, “Mom, Granny said being gay is a shame.” 

My mom replied, “How come?”

I added “Right.” 

Then I answered Granny’s ‘question.’ I said “Yes, but I also like boys too.”  

“So you’re bisexual?” 

I said, “Yea.”

Then she asked my mom if she knew or not and that was that… 

Even though Granny tried to embarrass me, she also gave me a good chance to be honest about a part of myself. Lately, I’ve been very open about my sexuality. Depending on who I’m around, if the topic comes up, I will be completely honest with that person because no one’s opinion should matter to me. No matter how judgemental they might respond, I try my hardest not to get triggered by rude remarks about people of any sexuality other than straight. 

As long as my family knows and love me enough to accept me for who I am, and I stay confident about that part of me, I am perfectly fine.