to mehan follie, I agree

an empty frame said this earlier in the thread and it sums it up nicely.

You don't need to tell people you're straight because you don't lose anything by being straight. When you're gay, you have a lot to lose. The respect of your family, workmates, peers, friendships you may risk losing because they assumed you were straight and by not telling them the truth they feel they were being lied to... Your family members may feel disgusted by you, and more often than not complete strangers are disgusted by you... Growing up, it is confusing and hard to come to terms with the fact that you are different to what feels like everybody else in your school. That's just the beginning of the things you have to think about. It's a LOT to carry on your shoulders, so yeah you need to tell people, if you don't you find you are keeping more and more of yourself from others and you begin feeling fake and invisible.

If you are (or could imagine being) gay, what are the trials that go along with coming out?

My brother is gay...and I have many friends who are as well. I know that when my brother came out of the closet, he went through a lot. My family, especially my mom, had a hard time accepting it. But over time, the initial shock wore off. When we were in high school, my brother was known as "the gay kid". I, was known as "the gay kid's sister". Obviously, at that age, kids are harsh. And I can say that although he was constantly made fun of for being who he is, he still kept his head high and didn't let any of it get to him. To this day, he is proud of who he is, and there isn't anything that anyone can say to make him feel differently.

If you are a parent, how would you feel if your son/daughter "came out" to you? It depends on what they are "coming out" as. I have some very controversial beliefs about sexuality that have nothing to do with this topic but it most definitely would affect the conversation I had with my child-- BUT I would always be proud of my child for who they are. Especially because I know from personal experience that coming out to a parent takes a lot of courage.

If you are a child of someone who is gay, how would you feel if they "came out" to you?

If my son came to me and told me he was gay, it wouldn't bother me in the least. You are who you are. I'd love him just the same.

As a friend, how would you feel/respond to your friend "coming out" to you?

As I previously stated, I have many friends who are gay. So again, it wouldn't really bother me. I mean I'd be surprised, but it wouldn't change the fact that the person is my friend.

As a member of society, how does it affect you or make you feel seeing gays out there?

A few years ago, I spent a lot of time hanging out in the gay community with my friends. They're really nice people! And so much fun to be around.

Crap...I totally missed one of the questions...ugh...so tired...

If you are a parent, how would you feel if your son/daughter "came out" to you?

If my son came to me and told me he was gay, it wouldn't bother me in the least. You are who you are. I'd love him just the same.

If you are a child of someone who is gay, how would you feel if they "came out" to you?

I'd be proud of them. I guess I'm really not a judgemental person when it comes to this subject. I believe in all rights as a human being. Those who are gay, are people too. No matter who they are.

I've never officially come out to anyone but my sister, boyfriend, and best friend. Other friends that know I'm bi only know because we had a conversation relevant to the subject and/or they came out to me first. When asked, I won't lie, but I don't advertise it, because no one really needs to know such a thing except your partner.

That being said, the city I live in has a large gay community, so that may have some bearing on how I feel on the subject. I haven't felt the need to hide who I am because there's very little threat to my personal safety by making such things public knoweldge. I can totally understand why someone may feel they need to be secretive about it, since prejudice still seems to be a huge issue in some areas.

If my son or daughter came out as being a homosexual, I would be pretty disappointed, because it would significantly lower the potential that they would give me grandchildren. However, I assume I would get over my disappointment and be supportive.

If you are (or could imagine being) gay, what are the trials that go along with coming out? I guess the main trial would be acceptance. People will either accept it, or they won't. Everyone wants to be accepted and I guess it would be quite hard for someone to come out in fear that they would not be accepted for WHO they are.
If you are a parent, how would you feel if your son/daughter "came out" to you? My child is only 1, so I have a while before this conversation could potentially take place. That being said... my child (soon to be children) is my child... my flesh and blood. If either of them 'came out' I would do what is right - I would accept that. Because no matter what, they are still my child. They are still the person that I raise. As someone who isn't accepted for who I am (not sexuality based, just in general) I will NEVER put my kids through that. Ever. No matter the reason.
If you are a child of someone who is gay, how would you feel if they "came out" to you? Doesn't apply, as my folks are straight as arrows
As a friend, how would you feel/respond to your friend "coming out" to you? It wouldn't bother me. I know there is a misconception in a lot of people (more predominantly men from what I've observed) when a friend comes out they instantly think they are being hit on by that person. I dunno, I guess because I had gay friends in high school, have grown up with a lesbian aunt and cousin... I've always had someone around so it doesn't seem overly abnormal to me.
As a member of society, how does it affect you or make you feel seeing gays out there? It doesn't affect me. They are living their life, I am living my life. I have no right to be affected by someones sexuality other than my own! I'm not religious, so don't have a religious view on it either. To me, love is love. I don't particularly want to see a gay or lesbian couple standing in the street making out like teenagers. Bt then I don't want to see a straight couple doing it either!