I didn’t come out until I was 26, and it went badly.
My dad sat in judgement and was very ashamed of me. He did change his mind much later but still said “I don’t like your lifestyle”.
Mum never changed and did not like it all.
Both of them are dead now, and… I don’t particularly miss them. I feel strange reading about how other people appreciate their parents.
My partner’s mum considers me her 2nd son. She’s been so accepting of me, as has her family. Same with my cousins, who my dad decided not to tell. When I did tell them after he died, they were mostly very welcoming.
My parents were frustrated, but not boiling over when I came out as bi. I guess they thought future grandchildren weren’t out of the question yet. Then I came out as trans, and I was immediately dead to them. I’ve been reconnecting with my mom years later because she’s divorcing my dad, but I’m still being cautious about it. Life has been brighter without them around anyway.
“life has been brighter…”
I feel sad. I understand… I just feel sad.