Questions

[jedi_goddess]

Within the last year and a half, I started telling select friends and family that I was bi. The first person that I told was my mother, who is normally very supportive. She informed me that I was simply "confused" and it was a "phase" and that I would "grow out of it". I am 27 now and lived in denial since I was 15. Has anyone else had a similar reaction?

 

[Etoile]

When you say she's normally supportive, how do you mean?

Unfortunately bi people are even more likely to get "it's a phase" than gay people. This is most likely because there's actual evidence that you might grow out of it - after all, you DO like guys, so surely someday you will stop liking girls, she may think. If you ONLY liked girls, it would be harder to envision you starting to like guys. But since you already do, she can hold out hope.

I haven't had a similar reaction, my mom knew I was gay long before I told her, but I'm sorry to hear that after 12 years of self-denial you're now encountering it from others. I hope it gets better for you.

 

[Safe_Bet]

You're up in Sioux City, right? HA! You've got even less resources to call upon then the few we have in the south central part of the state (I'm down here in Mt. Ayr).

I did a quick Google search and it seems that Morningside College has a LGBT Alliance group. You might want to swing by there and just talk to some like minded people who will understand. I'd bet they could give you some guidance and support. Sounds like you could do with a little bit of it.

In any event, just chill and talk to people. If not the good folks I'm sure you'd find at Morningside College, talk to us here. I promise we won't bite and we'll try to answer you questions honestly and openly or just be your friend and chat, K?

 

[LindsayRae]

Has anyone else had a similar reaction?

Extremely so. I came out (bisexual) to close friends first. A high school boyfriend at the time said "You have to choose; me or women" so I said, "Buh bye!"

My high school best friend was very cool about it and supportive.

My mother still thinks "If I ignore it, it'll go away. My daughter will become straight."

Now I'm thirty-four.

And I have no clue if other family even knows.