My name is Maria I am 26 years of age. I was born in Mexico, I came to the USA when I was ten. I come from a very strong religious background and you already guess yes I am Catholic.
Well I always knew I had no interest in guys what so ever unless they were friends. Well through high school I never dated anyone just because I was too afraid to come and out and hear people talk about me since I come from a small town around the Fresno county. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I meet the first girl that I fell for. We had a great time talking, the chemistry was there. I couldn’t deny it even if I tried, we dated for five years which, yes, it’s a long time. I broke up with her. Things were just not working out.
I was single for two years and didn’t really want to date. Until one night I met the most beautiful girl, we started talking and little by little she won me over or I won her over, we haven’t decided on that until this day. I’ve been with her for almost two years now and I’ve never been happier.
When things started to get serious with her I knew I had to come out and let my parents know I was GAY since my brothers and sisters knew about it already and they supported me. It was a week before my 24th birthday I called my parents and invited them to dinner. My mom was somewhat suspicious on why I would want to take them out to dinner. It took me about two days to convince them to come over so we can go to dinner. We ate dinner at Famous Dave’s. On our way to my apartment I told my little sister I am going to need you to go inside the apartment, I need to talk to mom and dad. But of course she wanted to know why. I told her don’t worry it has nothing to do with you, just do as I say. Then the moment of true came ahhhhhh
Me: Mom, Dad I need to talk to you guys.
Mom: About what?
Me: Have you guys ever wonder how come I have never taken a guy to meet you?
Dad: What is this all about, and yes we have.
Me: Well I have never taken a guy to your house because I don’t like them in that way.
Dad: What do you mean you don’t like them in that way? In which way do you like them?
Me: Well I don’t like them in the sexual way I am a LESBIAN.
They went quiet for maybe two minutes but to me it seemed like it was ten hours. Neither of them said anything. My dad looked away from me. I saw his shock and disappointment in me even thought it was dark. As he turned away my tears starting rolling down my face. So many things were going through my head at the moment I was fearing them rejecting me. I sat in the back of the car just staring at the car in front of us crying as I had lost someone I couldn’t stop crying then out of no where I heard my mom talk to me.
Mom: Is that why you are crying?
Me: Yes why else would I cry?
Mom: That is no reason to cry. I thought something was wrong or maybe you got in trouble.
That calmed me down a little bit. She turned to my dad and said.
Mom: Well tell her something.
Dad: I don’t know what to say. I got nothing to say.
That crushed me so I got out of the car and starting to walk into my apartment which by the way my sister was standing outside because she couldn’t open the door. I took the keys and opened the door in record time. She went in after I did. I was still crying. I couldn’t believe my dad didn’t say anything. I thought the worst at that moment, he is going to tell me not to talk to my family. There was so much pain in my heart that night I couldn’t take it. Minutes later my parents came inside my apartment.
Mom: There is no need for you to cry, so please stop.
I couldn’t even speak because there were no words that would come out.
Mom: Well aren’t you going to tell her something?
Dad: What do you want me to say?
Mom: Tell her something, anything.
Dad: Well I am not going to lie to you and say I am not shocked about all of this. But you are my daughter and I love you regardless so if this is what you choose and it’s what makes you happy then I will accept it. I know we don’t have the perfect kids and I know there is always going to be things that are going to get in our way but this is not going to be our way. You are and will always be part of our family regardless of what your decisions are in life. We are a family and nothing will change. You are always welcome into our house so stop the crying.
He came to where I was standing and he hugged me and kissed me and he said,
Dad: Just don’t overdo it with the affection. Be respectful when you are in public.
They hugged me and said good night.
The minute they left I called my girlfriend and told her, baby I did it, they know. Of course she laughed at me because she thought it was funny that I cried like a little baby but she was proud of me. Until this day nothing has changed in my family. They don’t act different towards me unless they want something. I won’t lie, I was expecting the worst from them since we do come from a very religious Mexican family. They surprised me by being so open to my sexual orientation. Me coming out was the best thing because I feel free, there is no more extra weight on my shoulder. Oh yeah, my mom said she knew it all along, “mother’s intuition”. Well she was right.
