At my big age of almost 40, I came out to my MAGA dad today.
See, my offspring and I decided that for the month of June we were going to quit drinking coffee, soda, and caffeine, and when people ask me why, I like to tell them that Pride month is like Gay Lent.
So we stopped at Dunkin while my parents were visiting and I got a pink pineapple refresher with sparkling water, because no caffeine, and my dad had just finished his rant about how kids these days like "drinks" not coffee, and then he started on why wasn't I at least drinking an iced coffee, still not REAL coffee but, you know.
So I told him we had quit coffee for the month, and naturally he asked me why.
And because I think the Gay Lent joke is hilarious*, I told it without a second thought.
"Oh, so you're gay now?"
I was very taken aback. "Have been for a while, babe." (Not a way I typically address MAGA dad but I was rattled. (In my defense, it's such a cornerstone of my identity that I honestly thought he knew.))
"Since when?"
It's at this point that I realized I was coming out.
"I've been part of the LGBTQ community since college."
So it's dead silent in his child mower downer pickup truck. My child sat next to me, attempting to melt into the seats. After a minute dad tried to change the subject. "Oh wow, look -- a Chick Fil A billboard on a Sunday".
My mom turned around and said, "I've never heard of Gay Lent, that's so cool!"
*my child does NOT think Gay Lent is a hilarious joke