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[Recursive Paradox]

My dad used to complain to me that participating in the GSA in my school would be used to deny me jobs and that I was being a "stupid idealist" and "sacrificing my own well being and success for homosexuals".

My mom was the only real one that approved of what I was doing because of how egalitarian she is. One of the few Catholics that truly follows the teachings of Jesus I guess.

[LeoNine]

I'm going to wish you a happier birthday for the rest of the day, orlando (if today is your birthday!).
It doesn't sound like much of a happy gathering for you . (I don't have such an opinionated family, but I still wouldn't tell any of them about the "real me", either.) However, thankfully there's WiG, and no one I've met here so far is judgmental, so you can say what you want here, and safely, and still have friends!
If there was a cake smilie here, I'd post it. So, hugs will have to do!

(((((orlando)))))

[Kass-ID]

Happy Birthday!! Sorry to hear bout your folks, that blows.
You turned out pretty freaking awesome though. So there's always that.

[Shadow Dragon]

Orlando, you should just tell. Seriously, what's the worse they could do about it, other than complain? If nothing else it would stop their bickering for a little while. Good luck in not snapping at them.

[loverboy]

I think you should spill the beans.. then maybe they would not talk about it around you so much if they're decent people. (Not saying that they aren't, but still)

My family is like that too Being the only one in the house, possibly my whole FAMILY, who not only had gender issues, but is a liberal Atheist... (where everyone else is cis and conservative Christians) I have to put up with similar stuff.

But yeah, spill?

[Kladeos]

My cousin has the same birthday as you! Four people in my family, including me, have May birthdays. It sucks about your family. =/ I get similar things, in regards to anything gay or queer related. I tend to just ignore it. I don't want to come out, not for at least several years.

RP: I was slightly worried about including a photo from the Dyke March in my portfolio when I was interviewing for a photography job. There was a Positive Space sticker at the office, signalling acceptance of queer issues, so I was slightly relieved. I got the job, too. But at the same time, if I were ever in an executive position at a queer group, I don't know if I would include it on my resume.

[Cassandra]

No matter what you do...don't let your family make your decisions for you. You are beyond their control now, and they had no power over you...if they want to hate, or fail to accept, someone from their family - just for who they are - then that's their social grave.

Family is important, but not all-important. We cannot help the family we are born into, so we should not think we should have to suffer the consequences either. If you never come out, star refusing these parties, and turn them away when they try to make a fuss. If you do tell them, and they accept (or reasonably close to such) you...all the better for them, and for you. If you tell them, and they reject you...then you again know where they stand, and how much they think of the family-ties you seem to so respect.

Bigotry is not something you need to tolerate, no matter who it comes from.

[Recursive Paradox]

RP: I was slightly worried about including a photo from the Dyke March in my portfolio when I was interviewing for a photography job. There was a Positive Space sticker at the office, signalling acceptance of queer issues, so I was slightly relieved. I got the job, too. But at the same time, if I were ever in an executive position at a queer group, I don't know if I would include it on my resume.

I have two different resumes, one with GLBT stuff on it and one without. I use the safest one.

[dkas2929]

Recursive Paradox,
That's sad to here about your father, some people will never be able to see past the gender issue. You are lucky
to have a mom that's not like that. I'm sure some of the people here don't have ether parent that understands
how they feel.