He Just Came Out to Me, Now What?

Young people today have more complicated issues and concerns then, we who are 50+ had to grapple with.

My biggest concern was wondering if I would be able to get a poodle skirt and a pair of black and white saddle oxfords.

Today, many young people are struggling with how to define their sexuality. It was pretty cut and dry for us in Iowa in the 60’s. If there were other ways to identify yourself, they were NEVER discussed. This is simply not the case today.

With the growing awareness of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer) community, young people can define themselves more honestly.

Now before you get caught up in your pajamas, I am not an expert on the LGBTQ community. However, I do have a young relative who is very close to me and confided in me that he is gay. I could have responded in a variety of ways, however, I threw my arms around him and asked him if he thought it made any difference to me.

He smiled and said “no.”

I have tried to keep the lines of communication open with him and have even introduced him to others with whom he could have an active dialogue. The results have been great. He is very comfortable talking about his identification. He is fortunate in that he has a very strong support network. Sadly, this is not the case with so many other LGBTQ young people.

I know that he is walking a unique path in life, but he will do so with a legion of support.

Photo Credit: luckylynda74 via Compfight cc

Written by 

Beatrice Bailey was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa to a Baptist minister father and a mother who was a gospel recording artist. She has three sisters and one brother. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a BA in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. Retired since 2004 from management positions with both the Xerox Corporation and the State of California, Bea now conducts customized seminars on “Budgeting for the Not So Rich and Famous”, “Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together…The Ultimate Balancing Act,” as well as interview techniques entitled, “Selling the Sizzle and Not the Steak.” In addition, she is an active member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Sacramento, CA, where she is an Adult Sunday School teacher. Bea has been a Head Feature Writer for Senior Magazine of Northern California. She also writes a monthly newspaper column entitled, “Uniquely Bea” Currently, she has authored a best-selling book, entitled, "Farewell, My Friend” and is conducting presentations and book signings throughout the United States and Mexico. "Radio Luz,” a Spanish Speaking Christian Radio Station, has interviewed her multiple times. Bea also was selected to be included in a book by The Author’s Show, as one of the "50 Outstanding Writers You Should Be Reading”. Bea has produced and hosted a new innovative television show, “A-Z with Bea”, which aired in November 2009 on RCCTV, Sacramento, CA. Bea is active at St. Paul Baptist Church and is an Adult Sunday school Teacher, and a Small Accountability Group Leader. She is a member of Kaiser’s Bio-Ethics Committee and on the Board of Advisors for the East Lawn Corporation. Recently, she has been asked to participate as a speaker with the Black Health Today national organization. To relax, Bea likes to work out at the gym, walk, knit, paint, sew, cook, garden, and read. Traveling within the United States, Mexico, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe is one of Bea’s true passions. She has two adult children, one “bonus son”, five wonderful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She resides in Northern California.

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