Am I Going To Ruin My Parents' Reputation? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Am I Going To Ruin My Parents' Reputation?

Will I Be Accepted For Who I Am?

44
Am I Going To Ruin My Parents' Reputation?
Ilustra Tumblr

A few weeks ago I wrote an article about how a family friend of mine (whom I cannot mention as she wants to remain anonymous) and I were having a conversation about what happened in Orlando. This week I am going to share her story about her being confused about her identity.

I remember when I was at a birthday party and she told me to go with her to a room with one of her closest friends.

I did.

She then closed and locked the door so no one would come in. I thought it would be about a guy or something that she did not want any brown members at the party to hear, but I was wrong. When I say "brown people" what I mean is, the majority of people have roots in the western side of the world, in places such as Bangladesh and India, where typically there exists a dislike of LGBTQ people and young dating.

She expected me to be in complete shock or have some kind of different reaction, but I didn’t; I was calm.

“Really?” I asked. “Yeah…” she said.

She revealed to me that she might be bisexual.

The family friend is seeking freedom that she hopes to get in the future. She likes to play with boys, has playful arguments and “fights” with them. She does not like being around girls who constantly talk about guys as much as she used to. She likes to wear pants and a shirt and very much dislikes make-up. Instead of playing with dolls or having a tea party, she prefers to play video games and be with boys. Her mother wants her to act like a girl and not like a tom-boy. She wants her to wear beautiful Indian dresses, put on makeup, wear heels, sing, dance, and do things a typical girl would do. Her mother is also very religious and conservative.

It started when she was in 6th grade when she started to question herself about her sexuality. She noticed how some people that she knew, as well as people from the internet, were coming out by saying they might be LGBT+ . She started to really question herself when she realized that she started to develop some feelings for this one girl who was a friend of hers. Her friend then revealed to her, the family friend, that she was also bi.

But even then she was not sure whether or not she was bisexual.

“But my sexuality and sort of figuring out what it is isn’t one of my priorities, you know? It’s on the back burner,” she said.

In the Bengali community many do not accept people who are LGBT+ and find them to be crazy, insane, and many things that people worldwide think of them. And she is one of them.

She is afraid that she will not be accepted for who she might be; she’s afraid her parents won’t accept her. She’s afraid that her parents might lock her into a closet or somewhere in their house and not let her out just so their reputation will not go down the drain.

It is important to get the support that one needs. Young adults, mostly children, should be able to have someone who they can talk to and with whom they can share their identity. This message trying to show the negotiations that are happening with family and the loved ones is surreal. Regardless of how some may feel, it is important to not put shame or bash on children who are discovering who they are. There are several people who are against these rights because of what they have been hearing or reading. In short, those who are LGBT need to be strong enough to face these challenges instead of giving up so that they will get the freedom that they need from their country, and more so their family.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas Tree
History.com

Now that Halloween is over, it's time to focus on the Holiday Season. Don't get me wrong, I think Thanksgiving is great and can't wait for it, but nothing gives me greater joy than watching Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas, lighting peppermint scented candles, decking the halls, and baking gingerbread cookies. So while we approach the greatest time of the year, let's watch the 15 best Christmas movies of all time.

Keep Reading...Show less
6 Signs You Are An English Major

There are various stereotypes about college students, most of which revolve around the concept of your major. Unfortunately, we often let stereotypes precede our own judgments, and we take what information is immediately available to us rather than forming our own opinions after considerable reflection. If I got a dollar for every time my friends have made a joke about my major I could pay my tuition. One stereotype on campus is the sensitive, overly critical and rigid English major. Here are six telltale signs you are one of them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

27 Things 'The Office' Has Taught Us

"The Office" is a mockumentary based on everyday office life featuring love triangles, silly pranks and everything in between. It can get pretty crazy for just an average day at the office.

2803
the office
http://www.ssninsider.com/

When you were little, your parents probably told you television makes your brain rot so you wouldn't watch it for twelve straight hours. However, I feel we can learn some pretty valuable stuff from television shows. "The Office," while a comedy, has some pretty teachable moments thrown in there. You may not know how to react in a situation where a co-worker does something crazy (like put your office supplies in jello) but thanks to "The Office," now you'll have an idea how to behave ifsomething like that should happen.

Here are just a few of the things that religious Office watchers can expect to learn.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You’re A Pre-Med Student

Ah, pre-med: home of the dead at heart.

1694
Grey's Anatomy
TV Guide

Being pre-med is quite a journey. It’s not easy juggling school work, extracurricular activities, volunteering, shadowing, research, and MCAT prep all at the same time. Ever heard of “pain is temporary, but GPA is forever?” Pre-meds don’t just embody that motto; we live and breathe it. Here are 10 symptoms you’re down with the pre-med student syndrome.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

High School And College Sucked All Of The Fun Out Of Reading

Books were always about understanding for me, about learning the way someone else sees, about connection.

1249
High School And College Sucked All Of The Fun Out Of Reading

I keep making this joke whenever the idea of books is brought up: "God, I wish I knew how to read." It runs parallel to another stupid phrase, as I watch my friends struggle through their calculus classes late at night in our floor lounge: "I hope this is the year that I learn to count." They're both truly idiotic expressions, but, when I consider the former, I sometimes wonder if there's some truth to it.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments