Falling in Self Love Day 103: Happy National Coming Out Day!

My love, Shareen, and I!

I came out as gay to my parents 18 years ago today.  I remember feeling scared and proud. I had known I was gay for a few months and was confident I would come out to my parents.  I hoped they'd celebrate my self-love through liberation, though I anticipated they would more likely fall on the side of religious law and the morays under which they had been reared (both riddled with the sentiment that homosexuality was an aberration). Unfortunately, I was right.  It was a sad (albeit triumphant day).  I had a girlfriend at the time and I remember being upset over the things my parents said and asked of me.  While feeling excited that I kept my agreement with myself not to lie to them about who I was, I felt disappointed about an agreement I made.  I agreed not to share news of my "lifestyle"with anyone in the family whatsoever.  I kept that agreement (more or less) up until a few months ago, when I came out to them as well.  Over the years, I had stayed away from numerous family events because I didn't want to lie to anyone about my sexuality nor was I willing to pretend I was "straight." It was a bittersweet day when I came out for the 2nd time a few months ago....most of the family already knew.  NONE OF THEM CARED!  All these years I hid from them, to keep an agreement that didn't serve my highest good.  Ahh, well...it's done now.

Today, I am happy to say, my parents are on a journey of "coming around" (like a burro pulling a heavy load up a hill)...LOL...but coming around nonetheless.  I am proud of them for seeing me AS ME more and more each year!  I am a great person and they DID RAISE ME RIGHT!  I think they are getting that.  My wish on this festive day, is that there will be many coming out stories shared and newly written filled with love, self-acceptance, compassion and of course....celebration!

This song (for sure a double entendre) goes out to my family...everywhere!