Jared Hedlund

“So, I came out on this day a year ago. I was trying to do it on Bisexual Visibility Day. But, I lost the nerve. I was kind of nervous about it, because my parents and my family didn’t seem super accepting. They seemed pretty accepting of gay people, but not super accepting of bi[sexual] people. Some thought it was a phase or they didn’t think it was a real thing. So, I was a little nervous about it. I remember I got tons of encouragement from [Gay Straight Alliance members] here. I even had stuff planned out with friends so if it went badly I could just drive over to one of their houses and hangout for the night. So, I ended up coming out at dinner. I said ‘hey do you guys know it’s national coming out day, and I want to come out as bisexual.’ My dad was very surprised at first, as was my mom. I guess it didn’t go great, but it also didn’t go terrib[ly]. My mom thought the idea of me being bisexual would be a phase caused by teenage hormones. My dad doesn’t understand the idea of bisexuality, but at least he respects that I identify as it… I remember it was really awkward because I finished my dinner and then I just went and did homework… I’m glad I did it though. I’m glad I did it,” senior Jared Hedlund came out as bisexual on National Coming Out Day, which is celebrated today on Oct. 11.