Many homosexual people in the world have to hide their sexuality in fear of being judged or rejected by their family or peers. That is the common story you hear all the time, but luckily, I was born and raised around people who accept it. Now, I can’t say that there aren’t some people who are uncomfortable with it, but most people have always just treated me the same my whole life.

As I’ve stated in past writings about myself, I did a lot of stuff as a child that foreshadowed me eventually coming out as gay. It was so obvious. I’m surprised I wasn’t model posing in my ultrasound. I guess my parents and everyone else really expected it.

Coming out to all of my family was a weird process, some I actually came out to, and others found out by people who outed me unintentionally. The first person I ever told was my mom and she was extremely happy for me. She was probably just excited so she could have someone to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race with. I cried all night after it, not because I was ashamed, but because finally someone else besides me knew my deepest secret and it felt weird. Coming out to all my friends was easy enough. They basically already knew, no surprise there. However, coming out to my family members was the real challenge.

The hardest was coming out to my dad. I thought he probably wouldn’t accept me for who I was. Thankfully he was very accepting. Finally, no more “Do you think she’s hot?” or “So do you like any girls yet?” My grandpa is still like that though. I’m not really sure if he knows if I’m gay, I’m not even sure if he knows what that even means.

I know that some people aren’t as fortunate as me. Some people are kicked out onto the streets or some are even sent to conversion therapy. I could never imagine in a million years what that feels like but one thing I have to say to those people is that everything will get better over time. Although you have the family you were born with but, you also have the family you choose, like your closest friends. Your chosen family will always be there for you in times of need and accept you for who you are. Don’t try to hide the real you. The real you, is the best you.