Homosexual Studies class

I recently registered for classes for next semester. Next semester starts in February, and there's a period of time in January when a student can optionally stay on campus and take one class for four days a week until the end of the month. The class I was going to take between semesters was already full, so I was delighted to find a class that satisfied part of the GE program called Gay/Lesbian studies that I could take instead.

The problem is, I'm in the closet from my family and roommate who is also staying in school in January, as well as many other friends. I didn't tell my roommate what class I was taking except that it satisfied part of the GE. I had told my mom of the other class I was going to take but haven't told her of the switch. I'm worried that if I tell them the class I'm really taking, it will arouse suspicion over my sexuality, which has happened before.

So, should I tell anyone the class I'm actually taking? Or would it be alright to jsut not tell anyone?

 

Then I will!

Today my mom called and I told her that I was taking a different class than the one I planned over "Interterm", and that I didn't remember the name of it. It sufficed quite fine. If she does ask specifically, I'll probably say it's a humanities class, which it is. I guess I'll let anyone but my family and roommate know. After all, I'm beginning to come out to other college students as I meet them for the first time.

I'm pretty excited for the class. Maybe I'll meet other fellow gays and lesbians--or some straight allies! I also want to learn more about myself and my sexual orientation, so this class should be a good foundation for someone in the process of coming out. Especially if people ask lots of questions when I come out...

Thanks for the advice, Empty Closeters! :smilewave I was mainly concerned on what to tell my family, if anything, when I return to campus in January.

 

The main issue with telling my roommate is that I have two of them and I only want one to know, the one staying over Interterm as I am doing. His name is "Sid"

He's from out of the country, so his understanding of homosexuality is culturally biased a bit: when I told him of gay friends at my Catholic high school, he was surprised that the school wasn't oppressive over them; he also told me he would have voted Yes on Prop 8 here in California. However, I believe he's pretty open-minded because he has a friend he thinks is gay, but is quick to point out that the friend in question is a good guy.

My other roommate, "Brad", is the problem. I do not consider him my friend, and so I do not want him to know something personal about me that he could hold over my head. He's also not very compassionate or respectful at all, as demonstrated by the following situation:

I've discussed homosexuality in the past with Sid, and it is respectful, open-minded discussion because we have differing views on the subject regarding the origins of orientation in an individual. So one day when he comes back to the room I show him an article showing evidence of homosexuality as genetic. He said he thought that was bullshit, that evidence like that is inconclusive, which it is to some extent, even though there was quite a large amount of evidence in the article that I thought was interesting. Playing it casual, I just said it was worth looking at because we've talked about the subject in the past; "I don't know why I always bring it up" I said nonchalantly, basically acknowledging that I was aware of how often I brought it up so it would seem less suspicious.
Without missing a beat, Brad says, "That's because you're gay."
What? I knew he wasn't serious, and that he doesn't know. Was he trying to make a joke? Or an insult? It's not funny, and Sid and I have treated homosexuality as a serious subject. But even he didn't want to look at the article at the time, and so I left for class in a sour mood, which Sid noticed later and felt sorry for. I told him that it was my own fault for bringing it up, and that I was more annoyed with Brad for being an idiot. Sid did tell me to email him the article if I wanted to, so he was making an effort to care at the time. I basically told him that I had a few gay friends in high school who had it rough, and plus with Prop 8, I think it's a serious subject.

My point is, Brad is stupid and socially inept, doesn't know how to enter a conversation, and is a pain to have around. I am not ever planning on telling him because he's pretty much no better than a stranger to me.

But, if I were to tell Sid, it would be awkward for him to live with me for the rest of the year. Also, we have such a good friendship that I'm afraid we may joke about it in conversation when Brad is in the room on his computer. In the past Sid and I have talked and Brad has butted in, usually to tell a bad joke that isn't funny or clever and is usually ten seconds too late. If I come out to Sid, I'm worried it'll upset the dynamic of the roommate triangle we have going.

I started this thread because of the issue of telling my parents the class I'm taking, but you've all shown me a decent somewhat honest alternative to telling them the exact class, and I thank y'all for that. I wasn't planning on telling my roommate until the end of the year, when we'd separate. I can see it as an option to do over January, but I don't want my other stupid roommate to judge me or think I'm weird.