Welcome to Gaia! ::

Well, my mom and dad were supportive right from the moment I said I wanted to look into Paganism. So I never had a closet to come out of in the first place.

My advice, however, is that you be as respectful of them as you would want them to be of you, no matter what. And if they deny you, even if they are family, they are not worth your time, because they cannot love you for you.

Try to come out to the most understanding parent, first. Generally the mother, but not always.
Or, a sibling whom you really trust.
My brother knows I am bisexual, but I could never tell my parents.

I've told my parents, but most of my family on my dad's side still might not be in the know. This year my grandmother passed away and the minister said some really mean, proselytizing things at the funeral, and later I informed him that I thought it was rude and crass and that he should think about what he says at funerals before he actually does say something like that. Well now half of my mom's side is in a huff because I lectured the minister at the funeral, even though they're all bickering and fighting over the things my grandmother left behind.... it's ridiculous. I am glad, though, that my mother stood up for me to my uncle. She told him that I'm probably a more "Christian" person that most Christians. (I personally hate that term, and would oppose it if it wasn't a complement) And she asked him how far he was along his path to righteousness when he was 19, and that whatever faith I choose is my choice.
They're still avoiding me... but anyway, when I told my dad, I thought it would be a bigger deal, but it actually wasn't.... he took it better than my mom did, actually. I guess that was him from his hippie days taking over.

You should just tell them. Then you'll know if they're really your friends or not.

I don't really understand the whole coming out thing anyway. I feel not the slightest ounce of interest in sharing my religious beliefs with anyone. To me, religion is very personal and the only beings that need to know about it are me and the Gods. I feel no need to tell anyone, especially if it will cause friction. This, however, does not mean that I hide my beliefs. I just don't flaunt them. If someone asks I'll be very frank, and if they don't ask, I assume they don't need to know.

I know. It really minimizes the conflict.

On a side note, I looked at your profile. eek Two bisexual Hellenics in the same age group who vote with the Green Party and are in long-tern relationships? Holy crap. xd

Yeah, that's pretty much my problem. My parents are hardcore Christian, and I live in a VERY psycho-Christian area (gotta love Mississippi). There have been hate crimes here. >>;

My friends know, but that's about it. My family doesn't know. They think I wear an ankh for good luck and a Green Man pendant because I'm attached to my Irish heritage.

Of course, that last bit worked out really nicely for me... For Christmas a couple years ago, my father made me a small cedar box (about...a foot long, six inches wide, and eight inches tall) with the visage of the Green Man carved on the lid and a circlet of leaves carved in the front, which were done by a friend of his with a hot knife. It's gorgeous. <3 See?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/nickymccloud/cedartop.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/nickymccloud/cedarside.jpg

*shrugs*

I'm out of the broom closet with my friends. But at work or at home, I'm still in the closet. I know for a fact that most of my family will be upset. My brother and sister know, but since they also turned away from the Catholic Church, they're not going to out me. As for work...they are my co-workers. I don't believe in mixing business and pleasure. And my spirituality isn't any of their business, anyways.