Having The Courage To Come Out | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Having The Courage To Come Out

People underestimate the strength a person needs when expressing their sexual interest

17
Having The Courage To Come Out
Pixabay

People underestimate the strength a person needs to express themselves when it comes to defining their sexual interest. The people around you tend to get used to the normality of things and have a hard time dealing with the change in someone’s lifestyle. I remember the night I was able to express myself to the people around me.

Now of course every person withholding this life changing secret has a reason for doing so. For me, it was because of the two people that had major impacts on my life, both positive and negative. One was my father, Tim, who was always pointing out the negative characteristics on every task I completed, small or large. The other was my grandmother, Brenda. This woman has, and always will be, the most important person in my life and will continue to be my best friend. By telling them about my sexuality, I was worried that the hostility from my father would increase and the positive encouragement from my grandmother would decrease, and that would tear me apart.

My sister, Kim, who always made me feel comfortable around her, decided to bring me to the movies. With the struggles we faced in our lives at that time, it felt nice to have a night away from everyone and let loose. She already knew that I was into the same sex and made me feel as though it was perfectly fine because everyone is different.

We always found ourselves making jokes about my hidden lifestyle, mainly because it made the environment less hostile for everyone within it. For example, while heading to the movies, Kim dared me to call and tell my grandmother the secret that I had been dreading since the first day I realized I had a secret to tell. I remember the feeling in my stomach when the phone was ringing. It felt as though the sound of the phone had traveled into my stomach and created the biggest butterflies I had ever had, which floated around until she answered. “Hey buddy,” she said.

The conversation was normal at first, but then I finally gained enough courage to spit out the surreptitious information. At this exact moment, I remember thinking about "The Wizard Of Oz" and told myself that I was the Lion. Courage is something you always have, not something you have to gain. A simple sentence was said to drop a huge ball on the woman who encouraged me to continue my crazy journey. “I like guys, grandma,” I said to her. Her response was something that shocked me and showed me how amazing she truly was, not only as a grandmother, but also as a best friend.

The struggle of this feeling was only half over, but the other half is a different story. The whole point of this one is to show that not everyone will be negative when it comes to true honesty. If a person really cares about you, they will continue to care aside from any change that you may spring on them. It is the acceptance from people that encourage others to overcome that fear of change.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178982
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6160
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451743
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22868
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments