How to accept that my father may never accept me?

@locallesbian It sounds like your father cares for you very much although he doesn't accept you being LGBT+ because of societal biases. Have you tried to talk to him about how much it hurts you that he doesn't accept you? Have you asked him why he wants to avoid the topic?

At the end of the day, there's nothing wrong with being a lesbian and it's important to accept yourself as you are even if other people don't. If you'd like to talk about this in more detail, you're welcome to message me as I'm here to listen! 😊

I understand how you feel. Feeling unaccepted by one of the people you love the most really hurts. However, he hasn't excluded you from his life, you are still his daughter and he loves you as always, otherwise your whole relationship would have been affected, not only dialogue about your orientation and romantic life. Apparently he has some interiorized bias towards LGBT identitied and it's hard for him to process your coming out. Maybe he's just taking time to overcome his prejudice and come to terms with it, but you can help him in this! I know it's hard, but dialogue is the key. You can express how you feel, what it really means to be who you are, why there is really no difference in the way you love. You can encourage him to express his doubts and worries, and discuss them. The key is that he understands that being lesbian (which is not a phase, in case he's thinking that) doesn't prevent you from living a normal and happy life, with deep and fulfilling love. He has always loved you, of course he understands that nothing changes in the person you are, and he only wants you to be happy. Time and dialogue can sometimes make all the difference. I'm hopeful that one day, you'll be able to talk about love again and share this aspect of your life!

@locallesbian

One thing that I would try is to bring it up and talk about your relationship around him. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but doing so will remind him that you are who you are and will show him its not a phase. If he still doesnt accept you, then the important thing is that you accept yourself. Even if he may disagree due to biases, you are allowed to be who you are and you should never have to hide this. He still loves you, for after everything, he is still your dad.

First of all, I agree with others that you should keep trying to bring it up. Continuing to clarify that you being gay doesn't inherently change your relationship. Try and approach it with an accepting attitude, basically give what you want to receive. If he seems uncomfortable, ask him why, what about it makes him feel that way.

And second, after trying all this, and he still doesn't understand, I think it's important to take steps for you to accept this fact. Being gay is only a part of who you are, you can still share other aspects of you with your dad.

Maybe with patience and time, your dad will come around.