I feel I'll never be happy if I stay in the closet...

[OGB]

Thank you , my mother came by for a visit , I might tell her but my brother (who happens to be homophobic) is there too so might not be the best time. I think I will start by reaching to the gay community near where I live first. This is all new to me and it all feel very strange,I really need help.I grew accustumed of pretending I was straight for so long and that really is why I have been feeling depressed and yes at the worse to the point of thinking of death , I was thinking I will never find love because I was trying to force myself to have feelings towards girls when I have none. You are right it was unhealthy and I am now taking the steps necessary for a happier life but like I said its just all new to me so it takes a lot of adjusting and courage because I don't think I, absolutely know that my father and brother are not gonna take well the fact that I am gay....

[hirvi7]

I came out to myself in my late 20's and started coming out to friends and family in my early 30's. I'd start with your very best friends, as long as you already know they're not raging homophobes. As more people come out, there's more people who know they have gay friends and relatives. Coming out to your parents and family is sometimes rough, but you're old enough that you won't be summarily thrown out on the street as happens with some teens. Most families, even if they don't react well at first, come around eventually. Deep down they want us to be happy and will put up with the things they don't like if they see it truly makes us happy.