I'm 36 and have had terrible mental health my entire life.

I've never been close to my parents because I felt judged by them about everything growing up. When I realised I was gay I was horrified at the prospect of coming out to them. I've been working really hard on my internalised homophobia, finding community, finding out who I am under the hetero mask and learning to love and care for that person.

I left my partner. I came out to a few friends. I made peace with what has happened the last 25 years or so since that first earth-shattering moment that I noticed how women made me feel.

There's no going back for me now. I'm meeting them tomorrow (first meeting in 6 months) and this is going to be another turning point in my life. I want to be close to them now and to tell them things. I think I actually want to get married some day (I was always 👰💒🤮) in my Comphet days when I thought id have to marry a man, so my Mum will be thrilled to have a potential wedding to fantasize about, haha.

I think my mum will cry, but I think she'll be happy that I told her, and to have a gay in the family. She went to art school and has gay friends. Wish me luck!