20 Things Your Family Says After You Come Out as Bisexual

Coming out to your family is an unnerving experience. Even in a dream scenario, with the most accepting of families, it's going to cause some anxiety, get your heart racing and blood pumping.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; coming out as bi comes with its own set of challenges. Sure, loved ones will say similar things to bisexuals as they would gay/lesbian individuals, but there's also going to be a whole hell of a lot that's unique to bisexuals.

To prove it to you, here's a list of some such responses newly-out bisexuals are likely to hear from parents, siblings, or other family members. Some of them I heard myself from my own loved ones, and some have been passed on to me from bi friends:

1. "So is it just girls now, or do we like everyone?"

2. "Okay, but if you had to pick a side, would you go with men or women?"

3. "So what are the odds of you having kids, then?"

4. "But what does that even mean?"

5. "Are you sure?"

6. "Are you into, like, everyone now?"

7. "I should set you up with my friend Alex. She's gay, too!"

8. "Oh, look! Rainbow socks! I should get those for your birthday. You people like rainbows, right?"

9. "Bisexual, huh? And what is that, really? How does that work?"

10. "I'm pretty sure you're gay. I kind of always thought you were gay."

11. "Have you ever even been with someone of your own gender?"

12. "If you haven't been with someone of your own gender, how do you know you're going to like it? You know, like, the sex?"

13. "Give me a percentage. Is it like, 50/50? 60/40? 75/25?" 

14. "You're young. You'll choose a team someday."

15. "Maybe it's a phase. People do weird things when they're young."

16. "I really don't understand how that could work."

17. "How do you know it's not just a girl crush? We all have those. Like, yeah, given the chance I'd date Kerry Washington. But who wouldn't? That doesn't make me bi."

18. "Are you feeling more hetero or homo today?"

19. "You look good in that outfit. You're going to get all the guys. I mean girls. I mean everyone ... I give up."

20. "So when you're with a guy, you're obviously the girl in the relationship. But when you're with another girl, are you the guy? You seem like you'd be the guy."

Yes, our families often put their feet in their mouths. But what can you do? We still love 'em.