xlameprincessx asked:
“Uhm hi, i just found out about this blog and i wanted advice. I’m planning on “coming out” as demi-girl to one of my best friends and tell him my pronouns but i’m afraid he won’t understand or he’ll laugh at it. I don’t really know how to explain it to him, seeing as he doesn’t know about any other type of gender besides female and male. Do you have any tips??”
Hello xlameprincessx!
First of all, I just want to send you my very best energy for what you are about to do – it is brave and also a profound gesture of care for your friend (who I will call ‘F’ for friend). This is precisely where I suggest you begin: with a heartfelt statement of how much your friendship means to you, which is why you have chosen to share this part of yourself and take a big risk. Be honest that you know it is a risk, but that it is worth taking it for you because you care about F and about your friendship.
I suggest this because people sometimes need ‘cueing’ in order to be able to respond to something important in a way that reflects how important it really is. When we are uncomfortable, our default reaction – as you wisely note in your question – is often one of humour. Joking and laughter expell nervous energy and are desperate, often mindless attempts to de-escalate the seriousness of a situation or a request. By opening with your declaration of caring and by saying that what you will share is reflects your love/esteem/care for F and for your friendship, you are ‘cueing’ F into the fact that this is no laughing matter. It is serious business.
Time and place will also be important. Do you spend unstructured time with F, like, do you go sit in a park or field for hours or something similar? Try to have the conversation in a beautiful place with lots of open space: where F feels like they have space to move around and like their reactions are at least semi-private (crowded coffee shops and confined spaces aren’t really helpful). I would suggest that phone, text or online are also out: you want to make a connection with F’s humanity and kindness, in person, given that F doesn’t have any background knowledge.
Prepare yourself for F having questions, particularly in terms of how you want F to relate to you in public and refer to you in conversations with others. Do you need F to change pronouns, etc. for you now, or is this gradual? Will you tell others? How do you understand demi-girl and what does it mean to you? Are there things you have done together with F that are now off-limits or have to change? Be ready with a few concrete examples, if you can, of what you will need from F.
Also, is there anyone in your life who you have already come out to and who has reacted well and supportively? If so, I might suggest asking that person to be a ‘point person’ for F if F has questions or needs some support around the changes you are asking for. You can also feel free to direct F to me, if no.
Finally, there is always the chance that despite your mindfulness, preparation and best efforts, things might not go well with F. As best as you can, prepare for some good self-care afterwards. Have some time planned to do something nice or with someone you feel safe around, or at least have a safe space to go to, in case. If you would like resources of any kind, I am here.
Thank you for your question, and good luck!
Lee
They Is My Pronoun 
Hey, thanks for what you’re doing.
Basically, I’m a fourteen year old female and I identify as a Demi-girl. My family definitely would not be supportive and I’m not out yet, but would like to be. The thing is, this boy that I like and who likes me (we tried to go out for half a day but we stopped cause it got too awkward, but we’re still kinda flirty?) isn’t very supportive of the lgbtq+. He says he doesn’t hate on anyone part of it, but he wouldn’t go out or hang out too much with someone who is- it’s the way he’s been taught, and otherwise he’s a sweetheart.
And although I would stop being friends with him for that, our friend group is the same. Also, I joined this school a year ago where these guys have known eachother their whole life, so if I came out to these friends I’m afraid they’ll support this boy(although the other friends always speak in a positive way about the lgbtq).
I was just wondering, what should I do? These friends are the only guys in would trust with something like this but that boy is kinda in the way of me opening up, and I still seem to like him even though trying my hardest not to since he doesn’t support LGBTQ’s.
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