You have learned something important about yourself—you are a Selling Sunset fan. And now you’re contemplating if sharing this news with your pseudo intellectual friend group is the right step.
Please note, coming out may not be right for you at this time. Realistically you may need to re-re-watch season four and spend countless hours alone debating whether or not Christine’s pregnancy was a PR stunt. After reaching a conclusion (it was), coming out may still not be right for you. And that’s OKAY.
Or maybe the prospect of coming out fills you with relief—the thought of finally being your true authentic brain-dead self! Regardless, it is normal to feel trepidatious. Only YOU can decide if now is the right time.
Here are a few tips:
Consider your safety.
You may live in a region where coming out isn’t safe. Ask yourself, does anyone you know have a woven ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ shoe mat? If the answer is no, coming out may not be safe in your area.
You are not alone.
Remember there are others. And like you, they are disguised. They may reject gender binaries. They may sport New Yorker tote bags. Some may exclusively smoke cloves despite their international ban—sis, they know people in Saudi! And yet, they too may also be Selling Sunset fans.
You may experience discrimination.
Some of your friends may not be okay with this. They may feel their NPR quotes are under direct threat. Your mere presence now negatively affects their cred #youcantsitwithus
Have a plan.
If you think that someone you’re coming out to might have a negative response, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for how you’ll deal with it. For example, this may be a good time to remind them A) you only eat cheese soaked in red wine B) remind them you are a fan of non-narrative cinema, particularly the films of Michelangelo Antonioni—might you add—your personal favourite, Blow Up, the breakdown of the barren eroticism of the bourgeois. Brava!
Decide who to tell.
Think about the people you’re closest to. Is there anyone who loves and accepts you no matter what? Despite the fact you’re a Christine sympathizer? In this friend group? Probably not. Ask yourself—if I come out, can I deal with having no pseudo intellectual friends? Be ready to part with your self-respect and Audre Lorde references.
Allow people to be shocked.
Yes, your Doc Martens and your dissertation on the characterization of social activism in 20th century rock music had them all fooled. Give them time to process.
You don’t have to tell everyone at the same time.
Remember coming out is a process. You may start by “testing the waters” with your friend group. Instead of your tri-annual wine caucus why not casually suggest a Botox and burgers party instead. Gauge reactions.
Get a support system in place.
Are you following the O group on insta? Reach out, hon!
