Why won’t he come out to his family?

my partner was in the same boat — out everywhere except with his parents for like, five years. his dad’s from a strict baptist background so he literally shook when he finally said it. we practiced what he’d say in the mirror, which sounds dumb but helped. one thing that made it easier? he wrote them a letter instead of doing it in person. gave them space to react without him sitting there panicking. i remember sitting through holiday dinners, being called his ‘friend from work’ — i wore the same damn bracelet every time just so *i* felt less invisible. little things helped. if he’s not ready to come out, don’t push — but you don’t have to stay quiet either. maybe tell him: ‘i love you, but i can’t keep playing this role. i need us to have a date — even if it’s just dinner after dropping his mom off — where i’m not pretending.’ it’s hard, but the pressure’s all on him to do it on his terms. you can’t fix that — but you can set boundaries so you don’t burn out. my partner finally told his mom over easter. she cried — but now we’re at family bbqs & it’s night & day.