This is something that only you can decide as everybody's situation differs. Firstly though you should weigh up the pros and cons of coming out to your parents. I say this, because although we would all like to think it is widely accepted, some people still have an issue with homosexuality.

I was a lucky one, my parents have always supported me throughout my life. They supported me through my mental illness, and still I was scared to 'come out' to them. Although they were the most important people for me to tell, they were not the first people I told.

I started by telling a cousin, then a friend, and finally a friends mother, who I was extremely close to. I did this because I needed to know that I had supports to go to if things didn't work out with my parents. I had heard all the horror stories about kids being kicked out of home because they came out, and whilst I didn't believe my parents would do that, I needed to know I had somewhere to go should that occur.

I didn't even consider the possibility that I might be gay until I was 19, and that was only after being accused of being a dyke by a boss. I joined a same sex attracted youth group, but didn't come out to my parents until 6 months later. I made the decision to come out after meeting my first girlfriend and falling head over heels for her. I was happy, and I felt I couldn't hide it. I had always had an open honest relationship with my parents, and lying to them was too hard for me.

I sat them down, turned off the tv and told them about how the group I was going to was for people who were same sex attracted. They asked me if I was happy, if I had a girlfriend, and as soon as I reassured them I was indeed the happiest I'd been in a long time, they were happy for me. Again, I repeat, I know I'm one of the lucky ones.

When should you come out to your parents and how depends upon the relationship you have with them. My current partner informed her parents "that the name of the guy I am going out with is Hayley, and she's a girl" as she drove out the driveway was perhaps not ideal, although it worked for her.

Everybody does it differently, but I think the main thing is reminding them that they have raised you to be honest, and you are telling them out of respect for them because you want them to know the 'real you'.

Learn more about this author, Hayley Verhagen.
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