-- Posted by Anonymous at 10:12 pm on Oct. 30, 2008 I'm young, still in college, and am not out on my own yet. Honestly, I don't feel I'm ready to come out yet and don't want to add this extra drama to my life at the moment. I don't think I would handle it as gracefully right now either. I come from a very strict, Conservative and christian family so there is no question this is going to be a tough situation. I dread the time when I'll sit down with the family and tell them that I'm a lesbian. I also have a small family, and only one other sibling, a brother. He's four years older than me. We have a surprisingly good relationship. People (mostly my parent's friends) often comment they've never seen siblings get along so well like we do. I know coming out won't go over well with the parents, especially my father; but I have no doubt that my brother would disown me or get angry with me. He also wouldn't run off and "out" me to everyone else before I was ready. Do you suggest talking with him first? I completely trust my brother. It would be nice to at least have one person supporting me. Yet, I don't want to get him in trouble because the rest of the family will probably ask if him if he knew anything about it. I have great friends and I do trust them, but I'd feel more comfortable discussing with my brother as unfortunately the friends would probably have their own discussions about me amounst themselves. He's a pretty carefree, easy going guy. He doesn't seem like the person who would discriminate against others for reasons such as being homosexual. Very non-judgmental should say. Even though we have a great relationship; we also am kind of "mean" to each other, but it's all in fun. It's a jokingly insulting type of deal that nether of us are actually offended by it. This could be part of the insulting relationship, but he might have a bit of a hunch I'm a lesbian. For instance, he got this ridiculous trucker hat at his work's Christmas party that said something like "lesbians are hot." He's like "Oh you should wear this." And I'd respond something like, "haha, thanks jackass." And most recently he's made some Katy Perry referenences towards me. Even though he's never flat out asked me if I'm gay, I don't think it would totally suprise him. I don't know when I'd want to talk to him, it would have to be when I'm more comfortable accepting myself. I still have college left and will still be listed at my parent's address and under their insurance and so on for several more years and I'd want to be out on my own for awhile and established in a career. I'm fine with letting my family think I'm just unsuccessful with men for a while longer. So what do you think about getting support from my brother? -- Posted by The Last Magister at 10:21 pm on Oct. 30, 2008 ya -- Posted by gdeeaz at 10:23 pm on Oct. 30, 2008 i think you should tell your brother first. if you talk to him about it he will be able to help you with telling your parents and preparing for what they might say/do. tell him when you are ready to tell him and i wish you the best of luck with it. -- Posted by HaouLance99 at 10:32 pm on Oct. 30, 2008 Quote: from gdeeaz at 1:23 am on Oct. 31, 2008 i think you should tell your brother first. if you talk to him about it he will be able to help you with telling your parents and preparing for what they might say/do. tell him when you are ready to tell him and i wish you the best of luck with it. Yeah, I agree. :) -- Posted by nik1 at 3:19 am on Nov. 1, 2008 I think that one's sexuality is their business.  If you feel compelled to tell your parents and your brother then do so.  It is probably not going to be a big shock to them anyway.  Parents are not so stupid to not see those sorts of things.