Ask Dali Mama

DEAR DALI MAMA:

Why do people freak out about gays and how do I come out to my parents?


–Don’t Know What to Do (Australia)

Dear Don’t Know What to Do:

Sometimes people are frightened by what they cannot easily categorize or anything that is different from what they think to be the norm. Life–and people–is complex but trying to categorize and compartmentalize make some people feel like they have more control over any situation if they can put something or someone in a box—male, female, heterosexual, homosexual, black, white, Republican, Democrat, etc. In reality, however, there is a lot of overlap and nobody fits neatly into one specific box.

As far as coming out to your parents, you might want to enlist a friend you trust to give you moral support, whom you can talk to and who can be there for you after you have the talk with your parents. Then, when you talk to your parents, give them space to have whatever reaction they might have. They might even already know that you are gay. The important thing is to remember that you are a beautiful and courageous person no matter how anyone reacts to you and no matter whom you love and this is something to celebrate. Check out http://community.pflag.org for resources.

Congratulations for being true to who you are.  Be proud!