Coming out as gay to my mother brought us closer – Says Nigerian youth

A young Nigerian man, Chisom Peter is excited about how things have progressed since he came out to his mother as gay.

By Mike Daemon

Photo for illustrative purposes only. (Photo source: Istockphoto.com)

The activist and writer who shared this on Instagram, says he is very excited to see things turn out so well since he came out to his mother as gay.

It is very common for gay people to hide their sexuality especially in hostile societies where homosexuality is illegal, however, Peter decided not to follow that path but preferred to openly live his truth without any shame or fear.

Just like for many other LGBTQ+ persons out there, Peter acknowledged that at first, it was indeed a difficult aspect of his life and at some point did not have the courage to speak openly about it with his mother.

“I will be a liar if I say that it started easy. I mean there were times I tried not to talk about it even when she wanted to. But now, we are in a place where we talk about anything and our relationship is perfect” He wrote.

However, Peter who is the editor-in-chief at LivingFree UK, an LGBTIQ+ UK-based social enterprise, did not just stop at coming out to his mother but also took it upon himself to educate her about what it means to be gay by periodically sending her links to queer-related contents.

“And on some days, I send her articles on LGBTQ+ happening around the world, and she reads it, we discuss it, and then she hugs me telling me, “I fear this might happen to you”. Which leaves me reassuring her that I will be fine”

Many LGBT folks experience discrimination and homophobia after their family becomes aware of their sexual orientation, However, Peter’s case is quite the opposite, instead, he said that his coming out has strengthened his relationship with his mother.

He wrote:  “Yes we were always close, but coming out to her brought us closer. There are days when we sit down together to talk about boys and how she thinks I might remain single if I don’t go out more”.

Despite being very supportive, Peter says his mother occasionally feels she isn’t doing much.

“Sometimes she feels she isn’t doing enough. “What if I say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing to you” and I honestly do not know how to make her understand that she is trying because I have never felt this safe in a long time” He wrote.

Many LGBTIQ+ folks in homophobic countries such as Nigeria do not have the opportunity that Peter has, however, Peter’s story is undeniably inspiring.

Read peter’s full Instagram thread HERE.