Do's and Don'ts

Take your time. You need to feel comfortable about your sexuality before anyone else can.

Do not be pressured into coming out. You and only you will know when the time is right.

You can never tell how people will react so build up trusting friendships. Tell a friend you know will be supportive. Once you have done this your confidence will grow and that will help you next time.

Telling parents is very different to coming out to friends. Your parents will have built up their hopes for you and finding out you are gay or bisexual could come as a big shock. They may need time to deal with it, which is fine. After all, you took time to come to terms with it so why shouldn’t they? They may turn round and say that they have known for ages and are just glad you felt you could tell them.

Friends and family may have lots of questions to ask you, some of these may sound silly but they just want more information. Be happy that you can now talk about your sexuality openly.

It might be the case that not everyone you tell will react positively. There are still people in the world who believe being gay is wrong. If you do get bad reactions just maintain your strong friendships and the support you get from them should help you through.

This article was last reviewed on: 27/10/11
Date due for next review: 27/10/13