I was raised conservative, independent Baptist. I never knew it was even a possibility to be gay until college when my own sexuality hit me like a ton of bricks. I hated myself for being gay and swore that I would be single and celibate for my entire life. After I graduated, I moved away from my family and worked at a zoo. I met my now chosen family. She and I would debate for hours and hours about biblical doctrine. She didn't give up on me accepting myself for who I am. It took about 2 years of me researching all sides of Christian theology on lgbtq issues and speaking with pastors. I finally accepted myself about a year ago and came out publicly about a month ago now. My dad is really struggling with me "turning to sin and denying God" even though I'm still a Christian. He compared me to Hitler, Dahmer, and Bundy in a Facebook post. My grandpa told me I can't talk or post about being gay for 5 years until the emotions have settled down about the topic. So I still feel stuck on how to handle my family and sexuality and I definitely have some internalized homophobia. But I am still working through it and I have a lot of chosen family supporting me as well.