Coming Out
Parents' Experience
For some parents the realisation that their child is gay, lesbian or transgender might bring up questions about their own sexual orientation.
Coming to terms with one’s own sexuality can be a lifelong process and without any support many enter into a marriage hoping their feelings might change or go away, only to realise later on that they can’t deny how they really feel.
Children's Stories
For children, coming out to their parents is one of the most frightening things they can do. No child wants to risk the relationship they have with their parents, to risk losing the love and security of their family.
For some children, these worries are realised and, it's sad to say, that there are parents who react badly to their children coming out. The parents' worries and shame can sometimes ruin the relationship they have with their children.
However, more and more parents are reacting positively to finding out that their child is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.