How did my holiGAYS go by

Holiday season is officially over and for some people who haven’t come out to family members, this might have been the end of a few rough and awkward weeks around family.

For some, family gatherings and specially holidays can be a drag, uncomfortable, and sometimes soul sucking for the simple fact that you have to pretend to be someone you’re not around people you love. Your identity matters and your voice matters, however some people may not see it that way. So from my personal experience here’s how to get through holidays or any kind of event with your family…

1) Remove yourself

Some families get into conversations and sometimes heated, about politics and the LGBTQ+ community, making snide remarks and underhanded comments towards something you believe in. If you feel like you can’t take it, remove yourself, until the conversation is done, there’s no need for you to sit in a conversation that disrespects you, even if that means going to the bathroom.

2) Play games

Hopefully you have some fun cousins or siblings that you can run off in a corner to play/hangout with. For me, I always ended up playing UNO, goldfish or any other game that kept my cousins and myself occupied from the hateful words that my family spewed out from time to time.

3) Find friends

Depending on how old you are, and how open your parents are, you might be able to opt out on family celebrations and hang out with some friends, especially ones you love and accept you for you who are. Spend time with them so you can enjoy yourself.

These are just some of the ways that you can find yourself out of the family drama and into some fun on any holiday season. I hope that anyone reading this doesn’t have to go through this but I know I did for a little bit and these are some of the things that helped me get through it.

Happy New Year everyone!

-XO. KS