Sexual Identity
I know my parents would never accept me for who I really am.
I’m afraid to tell my parents I’m bisexual. I have consistently been an overachiever, I’m not sure if that’s a people pleasing tendency I adapted as being the oldest but I have this fear of disappointing my parents. I think it stems from the fact that I’m afforded all this privilege that they never had, but they’re so strict and difficult to talk to.
I look after my younger siblings. I try and ask for permission to be a part of things and negotiate with my parents and usually fail. They come from a different culture and I’m a blending of two different ones.
I wish I could tell them that I’m bisexual, but I’m so afraid that they will kick me out of the house. No, I know they will kick me out of the house.
I wish I could tell them that I’m bisexual, but I’m so afraid that they will kick me out of the house.
This isn’t something I can share with anyone in my family. I know they’d never accept me for who I really am. All I can do is live in secret until I can move out. Ya. All I have to do is get through the next few years of highschool, and then I can move out.
I am really close with my mom and sometimes I wonder if I could share with her. Every time I try and open my mouth to tell her I tell myself it’s not the right moment. Plus, I’m not sure how her relationship with dad truly is. Maybe one day I could open up to my mom, but I still need to be living on my own before I can even consider. Living on my own will be so freeing.
This secret makes me anxious and I wish I could share it and be accepted but I know they’d never understand. The anxiety takes hold of my everyday life it's gotten to bad points at times where I have panic attacks. I don’t even have the courage to tell my friends that I’m bi-sexual out of complete fear that somehow my parents will find out. Until I can be on my own, I just have to follow their rules.
I don’t even have the courage to tell my friends that I’m bi-sexual out of complete fear that somehow my parents will find out.
Youth are struggling to talk to their parents
“How do I talk to my parents about my sexuality? I am scared of being kicked out.”
“I wish my parents were going to love me no matter my sexuality. The way they talked to me about having a boyfriend, I hoped they were more open to who is that girlfriend at school (more open to the other sex).”
“How do I break gender norms such as guys wearing dresses or nail polish?”
As a parent, caregiver or other supportive adult
Be curious about your child. Allow them time to express their identity. "If you suspect your child is LGBTQ+, don’t pressure them to admit it. Some people don’t question their sexual orientation until later in life. Others figure out their sexual orientation while they’re young but don’t feel ready to come out to their parents or anyone for many years—and that’s okay. Don’t assume it’s just a phase—but be aware that sexual orientation can be fluid for some people and labels sometimes change. No matter what, the important part is that you accept and believe what your teen says about their own sexual orientation, and know that there’s nothing you can do to change it."
— Planned Parenthood
Have open communication and be respectful. "Observe your child’s behaviour and if they do come out then don’t attack them because it might have taken your child a lot of courage to tell you, so just listen and be mindful of your response."
— Sher Vancouver