purpleandblack:

Lately I have been getting a lot of questions on formspring and some on here about coming out. I thought it be helpful if I wrote a post giving some advice on coming out. 

*NOTE* I am by no means a professional. This is all based off my own experiences. There may be things that you disagree with, which is totally fine. I am just doing this to help the community.

• I think the most important thing to consider is if you are ready to come out. Coming to terms with your sexuality is very important. You have to deal with the fact that once you come it, things will not be the same as before. 
• When you accept your sexuality, the next step is to tell others. My suggestion is to find someone that you know won’t freak out. I told a friend of mine first that I knew had some gay friends. I think the best people to tell are those that are open minded. Others people that are gay and have come out would be another good person. 
• If you don’t know any of these people, there are plenty of people online that you can contact. I would start with your local LGBT resource center, or a center in your nearest city, if there isn’t a local one. 
• I didn’t come out to my family first because I did not feel comfortable with it at the time. But every person is different, so you may want to tell them first. I would make a suggestion that if you have to choose between telling your mother or you father, mother might be the best option. Usually people tend to have a closer relationship with their mother. I know this is not always the case.
• I kept this part for last because it’s not really the happiest to talk about but it needs to be said. One thing you must prepare yourself for is the some of the “consequences” coming out entails. I am not trying to say this to scare you deeper into the closet, but to prepare you. There will be some backlash when you come out. There may be people that won’t treat you the same , sometimes even family might react badly. I got very lucky, I had friends and family that supported me. I did not have to go through what many gay teens had to go through, with the bullying and name calling. You may be that lucky too, but you also may not. So just be prepared.

Hopefully someone out there will find some of this helpful. If anyone ever needs to talk, I will truly listen. I do not say that lightly. I am always here for anyone in my community. And just remember that even if times looks back, it does get better.

- Chris 

Great advice :]