17 years later…
17 years ago back when I was 11 years old I was in my first year of secondary school (High School). It was at this point in my life tat I first tarted to realise that I wa different to other boys.
See I wasn’t interested in the girls, i liked the boys. It took me a while to understand what this meant, by it was then I realised that I was gay.
For the next 5 years I really struggled with who I was. It wasn’t until I went to college at 17 that I met another gay guy. He was so open and confident about who he was, whilst I was so far back in the closet I was practically in narnia.
Over the next 8 years I had experiences and relationships that I always ended because I was always afraid of what I was doing and how my parents and family would react if they ever found out.
Eventually during a drunken night out with my twin brother around the age o 25, I finally came outo my first family member. He was fine with it, and this gave me hope for the future.
Then last year I came out to my other brother, who has been fantastic with it all. I actually think he is generally proud to have a gay brother, and has really supported me over the past few months.
Then back in November I met “the boy”. We were set up on a date by a mutual friend, and got on quite well. We carried on dating and on Xmas eve last year officially became boyfriends.
Since then I have been paranoid about fucking things over due to the closeted situation I am in with my parents. This started to make things difficult, and I started to consider making the final move of telling mum & dad that their youngest son is a bender.
This has stayed on my mind for the past week, keeping me awake at night, making me stressed out and driving me crazy. Until tonight that was anyway…
I hadn’t planned anything as such, but had been thinking about it a lot at work. I got home, and sat down at the table for a meal with my parents. I was still thinking aboutthibgs, so was very quiet during the meal. Mum picked up on this and asked what was wrong.
Then, without evening thinking about it, I just said “I need to tell you both something… I’m gay!” – at that point mum jumped out of her seat and hugged me telling me it was ok.
Dad was quiet, but eentually said that he was still my son, as long as I was happy then that is ok.
I was shocked, not only that I finally told them, bit that it went so much better than I had expected it to go.
Mum and I had a chat about things, and I told her about “the boy”. She told me as long as I was happy and safe, then she was happy too. There was a bit more hugging and a few tears, but all in all a positive reaction.
To be honest, I am actually a little dissapointed by it all. To think I have worried about this moment for the past 17 years of my life and for it to all end up going so well is crazy. I was kind hoping for some fireworks, a few songs, maybe even a parade outaide the house… But no, nothing!
In fact, 20minutes after ad my dad was back to asking me how to doing things on the computer like he does every night.
Maybe this all some weird dream I will wake up from in the morning. If it is, it was a bloody good one!
January 13th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
hey Stuart,
I was a bit shocked to read your earlier tweet on the subject and now this. I’d always assumed you’d been out to your family for ages – your Evil Gay Twin label is a bit of a giveaway and you’ve not exactly been invisible!
Congrats to you and I’m glad all went well. We all have this awful image in our minds of what will happen but it never does.
oh, and congrats on finding “the boy”. I hope you’re both happy together – you look well suited in the photos you’ve posted and I’m really jealous!
All the best
January 14th, 2010 at 3:31 am
i’m so happy for you Stu
… just so you know, that is how normal parents react. its exactly the way mine did… the dad says ‘you’re still my son, and its ok as long as you’re happy’ and the mom says ‘as long as you’re happy and safe’ … you have a normal family. and you rock
and now the stress is gone!
January 14th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I love how the big coming out ended up like a Little Britain sketch where you were slightly disappointed that they didn’t disown you! But seriously, hurrah for parents not being rubbish.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Congratulations! Both on the big reveal and on having someone in your life that was worth the effort.
January 16th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I have been following your tweets and of course read this post. It’s fortunate you didn’t have to go thru a lot of drama upon coming out. It was probably one of the bravest moves you’ll make during you life, so good for you!
January 17th, 2010 at 9:14 am
I am really pleased for you. i used to read your “proper” blog ages ago (and even put a sticker on a place in Brussels for you!) and, I’m not going to tell you I told you so, but the world didn’t crack in two!
It’s brilliant news and although you will be sad that you didn’t do it earlier (I was the same), at least you can move on and introduce your boyfriend to them and you have one less HUGE worry.
Did they have any idea? Mine didn’t have a clue, which still amazes me.
You should be proud of yourself, but unfortunately your liking of Cheryl Cole taints the whole thing for me!
January 21st, 2010 at 7:14 am
As mentioned in my message to you…. You have been mentioned in my latest blog entry!
http://thestateofthenationuk.blogspot.com/2010/01/another-coming-out-success.html
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:15 am
What a relief for you; think how much more of your life can now be shared with your parents. Believe me you’ve only just started to feel how liberating it is.
ahoj
January 28th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Yay! Fantastic news. The gays always want drama – too much eastenders or something. Now move out!
May 21st, 2010 at 9:12 am
I enjoyed this sweet story that you shared, you seem pretty smooth at communicating things. I’m a fan of your twitter account, the pics and what not you post on there are pretty entertaining. keep on keepin’ on. – Justin in Seattle/USA.