I talk to many people who are members of the LGBTQA+ community. One of the most commonly shared experiences of these individuals is Coming Out.
At some point everyone in our society who comes to the realization that they are oriented as anything other than straight, or identify as anything other than cis, they have to consider when, and how to tell their loved ones. Not to mention figuring out who among their circle is a safe confidant. There is always the possibility of abuse or violence. This includes the potential of being thrown out of their home at a young age.
When violence is not a concern then the biggest risk is rejection. Parents, siblings, extended family, friends, even coworkers or employers. If you have never had to come out then think for a minute how many people you know. List them off in your head. Now ask yourself what would happen if any, most, or all of them decided they wanted nothing to do with you. How would your life change?
Rejection and acceptance are not a binary set of choices, they exist as opposite ends of a wide range. Someone can accept a new piece of information and still hate it or be angry, sort of the Yes-But of reactions. A person can also reject some or most of something while taking in a small piece. This is demonstrated in the "hate the sin, love the sinner," mentality, a mode of rejection that allows the rejector to hide behind a thin veneer of pretend acceptance. Often these folks seem to want to be awarded a medal for their feigned kindness and piety.
Here is the best kept secret about rejection: It is not the sole property of the straight and the cis-ies.
As long as I have been aware of he social issues surrounding Queer individuals, acceptance has been treated as a commodity, possessed only by those receiving the news of identity or orientation. The other side of the scale, rejection, is a weapon these same folks wield. Threat of rejection can still cut deeply. Those who hem and haw before finally telling their loved one that they will accept them DESPITE stll deliver a blow.
One important facet of coming out is to consider the value of your own rejection. People don't think about this, on either side of the transaction. Step again into your imagination. Now picture those close to you. How would it affect their lives if you decided that their lack of ability to accept was reason to reject them. How would this impact their life?
If you have a child, and you have hang-ups about the possibility of them coming out to you as LGBTQA+, imagine that they decide to reject you. Are you comfortable not seeing them anymore? Are you comfortable never meeting your potential grandchild, or your kid's partner? Are you okay with not being invited to weddings, graduations, school plays, or a whole host of other things?
This thought experiment will not affect the true bigots. But fuck them anyway. I am writing this to those who may be sitting on some homophobia, transphobia, or simply socialized or religious fear of supporting people. Think about the cost of being rejected while you are taking time to reflect about your own level of support.
Another aspect of this is to the straight and the cis amongst us who are supportive. How much do we accept those in our life who have rejected the people we love? If someone cannot accept our loved one when they com eout, how can we accepet them? Why would we?
Acceptance means support. I encourage everyone to ask themselves if the can accept and love someone more BECAUSE they have come out, not DESPITE. Someone loves you enough to want you to know them. The real them, their core self. If you cannot see that, then maybe someone like me would support them in rejecting you.