Comments on: My Coming Out Story – Growing Up Gay in Fiji http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/ Yes, we're legal! Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Video: My Struggle for Citizenship | Students for Fair Consideration http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3609 Video: My Struggle for Citizenship | Students for Fair Consideration Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:32:39 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3609 [...] can read my Change.org immigration story and my coming out story for more about [...] [...] can read my Change.org immigration story and my coming out story for more about [...]

]]> By: Lisa http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3485 Lisa Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:18:56 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3485 Wow, I read your coming out story, Prerna and it's quite an inspiring story. I can't tell you how much I admire your spirit Prerna. For me, it just illustrates just how much courage it takes to be yourself in this world. I was struck by the statistic that 33 percent of gay of gay youth try to commit suicide. This is a staggering figure! I think that teachers and parents need to work harder to protect gay youth. It is important to have programs in the schools to educate kids and their families about accepting children who are courageous enough to come out. I know that the SF bay area has many groups working on this issue (i.e. the Family Acceptance Project, etc). But in other areas of the country, many gay youth feel completely alone, without any kind of support network...and if you happen to be undocumented, too, I can only imagine! Thank you for sharing your story. It think that anyone who reads it will understand what true courage is. Wow, I read your coming out story, Prerna and it’s quite an inspiring story. I can’t tell you how much I admire your spirit Prerna. For me, it just illustrates just how much courage it takes to be yourself in this world. I was struck by the statistic that 33 percent of gay of gay youth try to commit suicide. This is a staggering figure! I think that teachers and parents need to work harder to protect gay youth. It is important to have programs in the schools to educate kids and their families about accepting children who are courageous enough to come out. I know that the SF bay area has many groups working on this issue (i.e. the Family Acceptance Project, etc). But in other areas of the country, many gay youth feel completely alone, without any kind of support network…and if you happen to be undocumented, too, I can only imagine! Thank you for sharing your story. It think that anyone who reads it will understand what true courage is.

]]> By: Karol Petersen http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3484 Karol Petersen Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:22:47 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3484 Awesome story you have my Kudos and empathy you are strong and very wise. Thank you for standing up for who you are and being of strong character. Awesome story you have my Kudos and empathy you are strong and very wise. Thank you for standing up for who you are and being of strong character.

]]> By: Sasha Bings http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3446 Sasha Bings Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:54:10 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3446 Dear Prerna, This is a heartbreaking story. There are so many out there who have been through these traumas who will find strength in your stories. I came out very early, and under adverse circumstances as well. I didn't care. I fought to be where I am today, 15 years later. Generally carefree, not giving much of a shit. But that's a luxury, and around every corner there are still those who impede our progress, judge and scrutinize us. As long as we keep telling our stories, the communities of us grow stronger. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I wish you the best. Sasha Bings Dear Prerna,

This is a heartbreaking story. There are so many out there who have been through these traumas who will find strength in your stories. I came out very early, and under adverse circumstances as well. I didn’t care. I fought to be where I am today, 15 years later. Generally carefree, not giving much of a shit. But that’s a luxury, and around every corner there are still those who impede our progress, judge and scrutinize us. As long as we keep telling our stories, the communities of us grow stronger. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

I wish you the best.

Sasha Bings

]]> By: No Borders and Binaries » Blog Archive » Stop the Deportation of Convicted Felons! http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3433 No Borders and Binaries » Blog Archive » Stop the Deportation of Convicted Felons! Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:35:17 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3433 [...] was cheated by the system. I beat the odds stacked against me. I stand out. I deserve [...] [...] was cheated by the system. I beat the odds stacked against me. I stand out. I deserve [...]

]]> By: DK http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3383 DK Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:10:11 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3383 Hi P, I m suddenly feeling small after reading your story of coming out. Mine is almost same, except silent words exchanged between me and my family, and i surrendered. Of late, I am realising how difficult it is to live alone, and specially when you are forced to live alone. I really admire your passion and courage. Good Luck for your new endeavors. Hi P, I m suddenly feeling small after reading your story of coming out. Mine is almost same, except silent words exchanged between me and my family, and i surrendered.
Of late, I am realising how difficult it is to live alone, and specially when you are forced to live alone.
I really admire your passion and courage. Good Luck for your new endeavors.

]]> By: Prerna Lal http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3218 Prerna Lal Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:21:06 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3218 Thanks for all your understanding and support! It's so good to see community blogs like these prop up over the past few years. I don't know how many of us grew up lonely, ostracized and scared. I just want to do what I can to make a difference. I am thinking about leaving the United States and making a fresh start somewhere else. Of course that means leaving everything I know behind again. Thanks for all your understanding and support!

It’s so good to see community blogs like these prop up over the past few years. I don’t know how many of us grew up lonely, ostracized and scared.

I just want to do what I can to make a difference. I am thinking about leaving the United States and making a fresh start somewhere else. Of course that means leaving everything I know behind again.

]]> By: D http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3185 D Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:04:20 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3185 very touching.. and kudos to you! We all know how difficult it is even otherwise to come out to our parents. And to defy everything for a love you believe in- at that age..really i admire your courage, also in holding on to what you believe in. very touching.. and kudos to you! We all know how difficult it is even otherwise to come out to our parents. And to defy everything for a love you believe in- at that age..really i admire your courage, also in holding on to what you believe in.

]]> By: Childwoman http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3176 Childwoman Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:35:42 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3176 Tears welled up in my eyes, reading this. You are a wonderful and a caring human being, please dont let any one make you feel other wise. Tears welled up in my eyes, reading this.
You are a wonderful and a caring human being, please dont let any one make you feel other wise.

]]> By: Mithya http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3175 Mithya Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:35:25 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3175 Prerna –a heart rending story.. I wish it did not have to end like the way it did. You’ve gone through so much and I kudos to your courage. Coming out is not easy, I understand what it involves coz I went through the same. Its dreadful when your close ones treat you like a criminal. I was made to see psychiatrists coz for a while my parents thought I was insane and abnormal and when they did not see me change they then tried healing of all sorts when they thought I was possessed !!! So this is how irrational one can get. I did not know for long about my orientation but I knew even as a teenager that I was happier in the company of women. I don’t just mean women as lovers but women in every sphere of life, in all kinds of relationships. I love their natural warmth and company. I adore their energy and receptive natures and always liked reaching out to people who could nurture this part of me… and then I finally knew what I wanted and who I am when I fell in love.. But since then its been a battle ! As much as time does heal everything and I can only imagine that you lived a pretty difficult existence with all that you were put through, my heart goes out to you and I do hope you continue to find the courage to hold yourself up like you have been and face what life has unearthed for you. I’m sure there is always something in store for all of us. I wish you find what gives you strength and brings you those few essential drops of happiness to keep you going. Prerna –a heart rending story.. I wish it did not have to end like the way it did. You’ve gone through so much and I kudos to your courage. Coming out is not easy, I understand what it involves coz I went through the same. Its dreadful when your close ones treat you like a criminal. I was made to see psychiatrists coz for a while my parents thought I was insane and abnormal and when they did not see me change they then tried healing of all sorts when they thought I was possessed !!! So this is how irrational one can get.
I did not know for long about my orientation but I knew even as a teenager that I was happier in the company of women. I don’t just mean women as lovers but women in every sphere of life, in all kinds of relationships. I love their natural warmth and company. I adore their energy and receptive natures and always liked reaching out to people who could nurture this part of me… and then I finally knew what I wanted and who I am when I fell in love.. But since then its been a battle !
As much as time does heal everything and I can only imagine that you lived a pretty difficult existence with all that you were put through, my heart goes out to you and I do hope you continue to find the courage to hold yourself up like you have been and face what life has unearthed for you. I’m sure there is always something in store for all of us.
I wish you find what gives you strength and brings you those few essential drops of happiness to keep you going.

]]> By: MJ http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3174 MJ Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:27:50 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3174 More power to you, is all I can say. Good luck. More power to you, is all I can say. Good luck.

]]> By: Suki http://gaysifamily.com/2009/07/05/my-coming-out-story-growing-up-gay-in-fiji/comment-page-1/#comment-3162 Suki Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:15:42 +0000 http://gaysifamily.com/?p=559#comment-3162 Oh my god. This is heartbreaking. And you are so strong. Oh my god. This is heartbreaking. And you are so strong.

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