How's this sound?
March, 2007
A letter to my family
As I write this letter, I can feel my heart beating vigorously within my chest. I am nervous. You may be asking yourself why that is. As I continue on with the letter, it will become apparent to you.
Let me start by first saying how surprised and honored I am to hear how many members of my family expressed a desire to attend my graduation ceremony. I can’t help but smile when I think of you all sitting there, supporting me on that amazing day. It has been hard for me, these past four years, being so far away from the comfort of family and home. But, I have grown so much as a person and my life has shifted in many different ways. I can’t wait to see the culmination of all my efforts when I accept my degree on May 12th.
Along with growing on an academic level, I have also grown on a personal level. I’m learning what it means to be a true adult and be on my own. Through this time I have had the support of my family and my friends, and one very special person, my girlfriend. Her name is Emma and we have been together since July, 2005. I am Bisexual.
I have been very unsure of how to deal with this current situation. But I feel that now is the right time to come out. I am on the verge of beginning my adult life and I cannot continue to hide a huge part of who I am.
I am writing this letter because I think it is important to live with integrity, and I cannot stand to lie about who I am any longer. I hope that you will look at this, not as a betrayal or a disorder, but a part of my personality. Just one more aspect that makes up who I am.
I have enclosed some information that might be helpful in explaining things and my contact information. I am willing to talk about this with anyone, and answer any questions you might have.
Thank you all so much for being supportive of me. I hope I can count on that same support in the future.
Love,
Your niece, cousin, granddaughter, and friend.
This is the Information I got from PFLAG:
PFLAG Greater New Haven/Shoreline
166 Lovers Ln.
Guilford, CT 6437
greaternewhavenpflag@yahoo.com
Phone: (203) 907-0518
Your first reaction to learning that your loved one is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning can range anywhere from anger to sadness, fear to hurt, confusion to grief, and anywhere and everything in between. These emotions and the thousands of others that parents, families, and friends experience as they navigate their loved ones coming out process are normal.
We can tell you with absolute certainty that you're not alone. According to statistics, one in every ten people in this country and around the world is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT). Approximately one in four families has an immediate family member who is GLBT, and most people have at least one GLBT individual in their extended circle of friends and family.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is here for you. Our members are parents, families and friends of GLBT people and GLBT people themselves. We have been through much of what you are now feeling. We understand.
The first thing to do for yourself and your loved one is to talk to someone who has been through this process. Whether it is by e-mail, phone or in-person at a PFLAG meeting listening to and talking to those who have experienced the feelings you are encountering can be both cathartic and comforting. PFLAG has more than 500 chapters and representatives across the country ready and willing to work with families and friends both in meeting and in a one on one basis.
The second thing you could do is educate yourself. Below you will find a quick rundown of information on Bisexuality. If you have anymore questions or concerns, contact the PFLAG chapter above, or go online to www.pflag.org.
Bisexuality Information
What is Bisexuality? Bisexuality is the capacity for physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to more than one gender. A bisexual person may not be equally attracted to both sexes, and the degree of attraction may vary over time.
Bisexual Identity Some people believe that a person is born heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual and that their identity is inherent and unchangeable. Because biological, social, and cultural factors are different for each person, everyone's sexuality is highly individual, whether they are bisexual, gay, lesbian or heterosexual. Many people assume that bisexuality is just a phase people go through. In fact, any sexual orientation can be a phase. Humans are diverse, and individual sexual feelings and behavior change over time. The creation and consolidation of a sexual identity is an ongoing process. An orientation that may not be permanent is still valid for the period of time it is experienced. Bisexuality, like homosexuality and heterosexuality, may be either a transitional step in the process of sexual discovery, or a stable, long-term identity.
A letter to my family
As I write this letter, I can feel my heart beating vigorously within my chest. I am nervous. You may be asking yourself why that is. As I continue on with the letter, it will become apparent to you.
Let me start by first saying how surprised and honored I am to hear how many members of my family expressed a desire to attend my graduation ceremony. I can’t help but smile when I think of you all sitting there, supporting me on that amazing day. It has been hard for me, these past four years, being so far away from the comfort of family and home. But, I have grown so much as a person and my life has shifted in many different ways. I can’t wait to see the culmination of all my efforts when I accept my degree on May 12th.
Along with growing on an academic level, I have also grown on a personal level. I’m learning what it means to be a true adult and be on my own. Through this time I have had the support of my family and my friends, and one very special person, my girlfriend. Her name is Emma and we have been together since July, 2005. I am Bisexual.
I have been very unsure of how to deal with this current situation. But I feel that now is the right time to come out. I am on the verge of beginning my adult life and I cannot continue to hide a huge part of who I am.
I am writing this letter because I think it is important to live with integrity, and I cannot stand to lie about who I am any longer. I hope that you will look at this, not as a betrayal or a disorder, but a part of my personality. Just one more aspect that makes up who I am.
I have enclosed some information that might be helpful in explaining things and my contact information. I am willing to talk about this with anyone, and answer any questions you might have.
Thank you all so much for being supportive of me. I hope I can count on that same support in the future.
Love,
Your niece, cousin, granddaughter, and friend.
This is the Information I got from PFLAG:
PFLAG Greater New Haven/Shoreline
166 Lovers Ln.
Guilford, CT 6437
greaternewhavenpflag@yahoo.com
Phone: (203) 907-0518
Your first reaction to learning that your loved one is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning can range anywhere from anger to sadness, fear to hurt, confusion to grief, and anywhere and everything in between. These emotions and the thousands of others that parents, families, and friends experience as they navigate their loved ones coming out process are normal.
We can tell you with absolute certainty that you're not alone. According to statistics, one in every ten people in this country and around the world is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT). Approximately one in four families has an immediate family member who is GLBT, and most people have at least one GLBT individual in their extended circle of friends and family.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is here for you. Our members are parents, families and friends of GLBT people and GLBT people themselves. We have been through much of what you are now feeling. We understand.
The first thing to do for yourself and your loved one is to talk to someone who has been through this process. Whether it is by e-mail, phone or in-person at a PFLAG meeting listening to and talking to those who have experienced the feelings you are encountering can be both cathartic and comforting. PFLAG has more than 500 chapters and representatives across the country ready and willing to work with families and friends both in meeting and in a one on one basis.
The second thing you could do is educate yourself. Below you will find a quick rundown of information on Bisexuality. If you have anymore questions or concerns, contact the PFLAG chapter above, or go online to www.pflag.org.
Bisexuality Information
What is Bisexuality? Bisexuality is the capacity for physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to more than one gender. A bisexual person may not be equally attracted to both sexes, and the degree of attraction may vary over time.
Bisexual Identity Some people believe that a person is born heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual and that their identity is inherent and unchangeable. Because biological, social, and cultural factors are different for each person, everyone's sexuality is highly individual, whether they are bisexual, gay, lesbian or heterosexual. Many people assume that bisexuality is just a phase people go through. In fact, any sexual orientation can be a phase. Humans are diverse, and individual sexual feelings and behavior change over time. The creation and consolidation of a sexual identity is an ongoing process. An orientation that may not be permanent is still valid for the period of time it is experienced. Bisexuality, like homosexuality and heterosexuality, may be either a transitional step in the process of sexual discovery, or a stable, long-term identity.