Greetings...

So I am new and I have joined Empty Closets because I have recently come to terms that I am a lesbian. It has been a bitter-sweet journey to accepting my sexual identity because I have been force fed heterosexual preferences my whole life, so much so that I identified as asexual for some time in order to explain to family members why I was not attracted to men. For this reason, I am a fairly late bloomer as I am just reaching my mid-twenties.
I am very lucky to have two close friends who love and accept me as I am. One of my friends is even considering a relationship with me as she is exploring her bi-sexual identity. I am so happy because of this. For the first time in my life, romance and dating feels right.
Unfortunately, my home life is very different. My parents hold to a traditional religious belief that homosexuals and trans-gender individuals are choosing to sin and are separated from God. I can never see myself coming out to them and it is tearing me up emotionally and mentally that they do not really know who I am and if they did, I would be disowned or harmed.
I am trying to decide how to come out to my siblings. My brother will be accepting, I just don’t know how to approach him. I don’t think I trust my sister yet.
I am also unsure how I should approach larger peer groups (ex. college). I cannot come out on social media as my parents will learn about me. It hurts to keep it locked up when I finally feel free and accepting of myself, but I do not think I have much choice.
All in all, I am glad I am finally brave enough to say “I am a lesbian” to myself in the mirror.

 

Thanks. These look really helpful