Pick a quiet, calm time when you tell people, which will give you all time to talk about it. If at all possible, get the support of your ex-partner and tell the children together.ĥ Allow people to be shocked and to need time to take the news in – be sensitive to their feelings, too. If you are coming out to your children, remember to remind them that you are still the same person, that you still love them and that you still feel the same way about them. Older people – especially those in a heterosexual relationship and maybe with children – may have different dilemmas. Younger people can be more concerned about reactions and acceptance among their peer group, and worry about whether or not they might be bullied. It’s also perfectly OK to say that you need time to process the information, but try to communicate at the same time that your feelings towards the person who has come out to you have not changed.Ĥ Worries and concerns may vary according to how old you are.
So if someone comes out to you, one of the best ways to respond is to say, “I still feel exactly the same about you.” Key concerns are that they won’t be accepted or will be seen differently. 3 Many people worry about other people’s reactions.