Pride Month: Jessica talks about coming out as a lesbian

June is Pride Month and sees the LGBTQ+ community honouring the Stonewall uprising of 1976.

The month is not only dedicated to celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community’s cultures, achievements and activism, but also pays homage to lives lost due to hate crimes.

Sunward Park lesbian Jessica Coomans spoke to Boksburg Advertiser about how her disclosure of her sexual orientation was received by family, friends and the community.

When Jessica started dating, she dated a boy and their relationship went on for some time.

She didn’t, however, feel right about it as she had had a strong attraction to girls for some time.

“When I turned 15, I started seeing girls differently. I started creating pictures in my mind of how my life would be if I dated a girl. I realised that I have never looked at guys and felt this way.

“I grew up in a religious family so when I came out to my mother and sister, they accepted me, but my brother didn’t share the same sentiments and said I should try dating more,” said Jessica.

The 25-year-old said that she lost some family and friends due to the disclosure of her sexual orientation.

They called her names and said she must stay away from them as she will infect them with the “lesbian disease”.

“Strange men would even make vicious comments that I should not be gay and should be ‘set straight’.”

But Jessica openly accepted herself and her family accepted her as well, although the hate hasn’t ended.

She is now engaged to a woman who also went through a similar experience.

The LGBTQ+ member advises those who find it hard to come out to take the risk as she believes the world is not as closed-minded as it was years back.

“People are becoming more accepting and adapting. You are not going to please everyone, but you are going to be a lot happier if you can be yourself fully,” Jessica said.

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