One of the guys I work with just came out on Facebook. Being a gay man and understanding how hard it is to come out and deal with this, you would think I would be supportive and understanding right? Well, I heard it and thought it was a joke, he always talked about girls. I am shocked and it blows my perception of my friend, I’m still in shock even now and I’m really having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea my friend is gay.
I never actually saw the post the day he did it. It was not until a few days later that I saw it. I read all of the support and well wishes and I want to be supportive it’s just going to take me some time to get use to this. Here’s the thing, I’m upset at my reaction and I can’t believe I of all people am reacting this way.
After reflecting on my reaction, I understand better why friends, family and co-workers don’t react well when people come out. It shocks some people and your whole perception of that person is blown out of the water. You don’t want to believe it. I know it hurts to be rejected by people when you come out. I have experienced it myself.
It takes so much courage to do what he did and it can be a struggle to come to terms with who you are. I am so proud of him. I am going to take my reaction and turn it into a positive by sharing my reaction to help others. I know when I came out I braced for some rejection. I was lucky I wasn’t rejected by my family and close friends at the time. I hope my friend knows I support him and love the person he is.
