Ok, so today it's actually a day late in the US, but in the UK it's today! So yes, back on topic. Oct 11 is national coming out day for many many countries. I actually completely forgot about it until I saw a number of facebook updates on it. It's been a pretty hectic week for me, so forgive my lateness on this post.
National coming out day is just a day, but it's a day to kind of celebrate who you are as a person. "Never be afraid to be yourself." Those words made me smile. I'm not sorry for who I am, but I do know what it feels like to be afraid to be yourself. It's hard having to come out over and over again in your life. Sometimes you don't care what the other person will think and other times you brace yourself for rejection from people you care about.
I came out 6 years ago to my friends and some of my family. It's been a hard road, but the first time I came out was so relieving. My friends were so loving and supportive and I could not have asked for a better first experience. I chose who I came out to very carefully and when an extended family member came out to me a few years ago during dinner I nearly choked on my food. The exact words were: "So... cousin... I'm gay. Please don't hate me." Now that's why I choked. I could only cough some food away and sputter "What?! Me too! And why on earth would you think I would hate you?!
It just goes to show you family can be quite surprising... and how much we both fear coming out to our entire family. I'm lucky to have the support that I do. I'm not sorry about who I am. My sexuality is only a minor part of me. Why it's such a big deal to some is so very perplexing.
I came out again last year. First to my gay husband, who pretty much came out to me and then said "So is there something YOU need to tell me? Hmmm?" I feel so lucky to have him here. He is my rock when I need him and one of the best friends I could ever ask for. Then it came easy to come out to the rest of my friends at pharmacy school. Actually, I have been outed numerous times. It's kind of annoying, but what can I do? If they don't like it that's their problem. It's like hating me for being Asian. I can't change it, they can go f- themselves.
Many of my classmates actually wished me a happy coming out day. Haha. I like to play around with them and say with a straight (haha) face that "What? I'm not gay. Have you met my husband? Pretty sure he's a man..." It's even funnier when they just laugh hysterically at that. We're just too gay for words I guess. Granted I don't look extremely gay, but I guess once you get to know me it makes sense? I never really understand these comments.
Anywho, back to studying for me! I hope everyone had a wonderful day.
