White anglo working class and grew up on a farm near many hippie communes. Didn't stop my parents from judging the alternative lifestyles. My dad and brother were the best when I came out. Brother said "so, do you want a medal" in his usual sarcastic humour which meant he was obviously cool. My dad didn't flinch and gave me a speech about feeling at home no matter what. My mum - there were several occasions where I kind of came out and she snapped or was judgemental and it really hurt. My sister took it the hardest. She cried and had nightmares (she's 7 years younger) because she was worried how society would treat me (20 years ago)
I guess I could sum up my coming out as average and my experience as a gay man to be relatively easy.
I've always been of the philosophy that once I'm out to anyone who is important to me the rest don't matter. That has helped me just blurt out nonchalantly in most cases.
I can imagine that I've had it pretty good. I've heard some horrible stories of people's parents expelling them from their lives, threatening violence and even death
People can be quite disappointing (I was going to say this a less appropriate way but chose to tone it down)
Paul
