We have families. We have feelings. We have pets, go to school, go to parties and joke around with our friends. We are just like you except for one fact: we are gay.
Coming out of the closet to your friends and family can be a scary endeavor. A certain 10th grader, whom we will call Steve, knows from experience. “I was scared before I came out,” he said. “It is difficult to do and not a lot of people accept homosexuals, so it was a really scary feeling that people might stop accepting me.”
As many gay men can attest to, coming out is a giant load off your chest. A junior at Leesville, who we will call John, said, “I’m happy I came out because my friends still accept me. My family is a different matter, but I’m just glad my friends are still my friends.”
For many, the hardest part of coming out is talking to your parents. “It was awkward, but after I did it, I definitely felt a lot better,” said Steve.
“My mom isn’t really accepting of the gay community, and when I told her, she broke down crying,” said John. “If you know your parents are okay with it, then you should come out to them. If you are still nervous about it, come out to your friends first. They care about you, otherwise they wouldn’t be your friends.”
Steve likes Leesvilles community. “Everyone is really accepting,” he said. “I think our school is a really great environment and accepts a lot of people based on their sexuallity.”
If you are looking to come out, or just need someone to talk to, the GSA(Gay Straight Alliance) president is Kordell Draper.
There are always going to be haters, but you can’t let them get you down. In the wise words of Bobby McFerrin, “Don’t worry, be happy”.
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