Coming Out

   Exploring the internet, I've started to notice something. When people who aren't heterosexual come out to their parents, relatives or friends, they tend to have a pretty bad story to tell afterwards. Of course there are stories where the people in their life react in a bad way, hurting their feelings or even getting mad because of them being open with their sexuality. While I'm not gay myself, I get that people have a hard time coming out to people close to them. Meanwhile I also understand that hearing someone in your life is gay, or have another sexuality than heterosexual in general, you might be surprised or even confused, especially if you've known them their entire life, or even helped raising them.
   But some thing that you have to understand, is you can't be offended by their sexuality. How often do you see a gay person complaining about straight people? That's right, they don't. Besides, who they love or feel sexually attracted to, is completely their business and none of yours, and that is something you can realise perfectly fine on your own.
   Besides; coming out to someone close to you is said to be very hard. The person coming out to you is trusting you greatly to tell you something so personal and sensitive about them selves, and you acting offended is not going to help them.
   Of course, you have the right to be confused, or surprised. But you do not have the right to be angry with the person coming out to you. Your emotions are also important, and the person coming out to you will understand that you might be surprised, but if you're angry with them because they're not heterosexual, or simply because they told you about it, will hurt their feelings a lot.
   Sexuality is not a choice. Do you want to be shamed and hated for something that you have no control over? What if someone shamed you for being the age that you are, or being born first or second of siblings? Being different is always hard, and them telling you about their sexuality is a sign of enormous trust.
   Being a parent is about loving your child unconditionally, and being a good parent means you'll support and trust your child throughout their life, no matter what. So trust them and support them when they decide to tell you about their sexuality. Besides, telling your gay child "No, you're not" or "No, you're just confused, sweetheart" will probably just make them more confused, and since most people come out as teens, they already have more than enough to be confused about. Same goes for friends and relatives.
   Besides, from not accepting a person you'll only make them hurt, and, if continued, they will probably hate you.
   Acceptance and tolerance is are things our world needs a lot more of. Please be a part of that.