This is my coming out story.

I told my Mom I was gay the summer after my Freshman year of college. One night, when my Dad was out of town I walked into my parents room like… gif source

I sat on the end of their bed and, gulp, told my Mom that I liked dudes. gif source

And she was like… gif source

THEN, we talked about how many gay friends she had in college, the time she got crabs from a gay bar bathroom stall, and how she was happy I felt comfortable enough to tell her about my sexuality. I was like... gif source

Shooketh. I wish I had told her sooner. But now, what to do about my Dad? I told my Mom not to tell him… But when he got back from out of town, I couldn’t find the right time. Was I supposed to do on a commercial break of “Everybody Loves Raymond”? A week went by when I heard a knock on my bedroom door. My dad walks in like… gif source

He sits down on my bed and after a pregnant pause says “Your mom told me.” My first thought was... [gif source

But I couldn’t manage to actually say anything. So I just sorta… gif source

Then my Dad hits me with “I’m just disappointed you couldn’t tell me. I thought we were closer than that. Why couldn’t you tell me?” And I was like... gif source

And then… gif source

I didn’t have an answer for him. The truth is I didn’t want to disappoint my semi-conservative Dad. But I regret to this day that I wasn’t brave enough to tell him. So to everyone out there struggling to come out to their Dads, he’s going to find out one way or another, eventually. However you come out to your Dad, do it on your own time and in your own way. Your approach and timing will be as unique as your own sense of identity. Here are some resources that might help you:

-Human Rights Campaign: Resource Guide To Coming Out -Berkley Gender Equity Resource Center: Coming Out -Gender Expansion Project: Coming Out Resources

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