(((smiley)))

i was in a same sex relationship when i was 18. i was still ambivalent about my sexuality, however, so i never really came out to anyone. my gf joined the queer society at her campus, though, and she found it really helpful. and eventually i started hanging around with them a lot too (like, when we went out and stuff) and it really helped to have ppl accept you as you are and not deny or ignore your sexuality in that way.

it doesn't help on the parents front, of course, but it is kind of like a shield. being validated through other means, and also seeing positive role models of ppl making this queer thing work!