The Experience of Coming Out and Accepting Bisexuality

In my early years of childhood, growing up I always sensed that I might not be heterosexual, with crushes on both male and females. At the age of 12 I remembered learning about bisexuality and had a sudden feeling of happiness – I finally felt I had a word I could identify myself with. Unfortunately, it was a word I knew that could be never used in my household. Growing up I constantly sat quiet as my parents made slurs and unpleasant remarks about those whom are apart of the LGBTQ community. I come from a Jamaican household and not abiding by the social norm of being heterosexual is completly unnacceptable. In our culture it is seen that a man belongs to a woman and vice versa. If 2 people of the same sex were to be seen in public intimately they would be tortured and killed. In my household, I knew that if I shared my sexual preferences, my family would disown and outcast me.

Coming out to my parents was the most terrifying experiences I have encountered in my life. The room was quiet as the words “Im bisexual” slipped out my mouth. I felt the tension rise, hands trembling as tears ran down my face. My mother instantly began to yell and call me a disgrace. My father on the other hand, has a look of fury on his face, which said enough for me. They hadn't spoken to me in weeks and made numerous disturbing and discomforting remarks about my sexuality. It was heartbreaking to feel like a fugitive in my own household. Being bisexual has always meant more to me than who I have itimiate intentons with, it's essentiel to my identity. It’s as natural as my hair colour, or my shoe size. It’s something that I shouldn't have to excuse in order to make other people happy. I didn't realise the weight of hiding such a big part of myself from my family until it was released. Although my relationship with my parents became distant, by “coming out” to them, self-love became accessible, when it felt unimaginable before.

My experience relates to the social issue of Homophobia. Homophobia is the fear of homosexuals (Brym & Lie, P.169). Homophobia is a devastating issue that impacts the lives of millions of individuals around the world whether it be in the family, workplace, or publicly. LGBTQ Canadians still face discrimination, fear, and hate that results in physical, mental, and emotional mischief. In some cases, teens who are rejected by their families often commit suicide or end up on the streets. These young kids are more presumably to end up in danger or partake in crime, and encounter trauma that can affect their entire lives and mental health. Canada has come along way in protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community, but there is still work that needs to be done.