Lexie Nobrega came out as bisexual when she was 13. Though she told her friends and her mom, she says she was too scared to tell her grandparents.
“[My grandparents] mean everything to me, and even though they have always been supportive of the LGBTQIA* community, I was afraid that they wouldn’t accept me.”
Lexie didn’t come out to her grandparents until she was a senior in high school. But when she did, their response was exactly what she hoped it would be: “That’s okay, we love you.”
This year, Lexie traveled home to Alexandria to visit her family and attend the Capital Pride parade. It was the first time she’d attended since high school (she’s now a rising senior at Old Dominion University). On the day of the parade, Lexie was getting ready, when she heard knock on the door. Her grandmother wanted to know if she needed anything ironed. Walking in, she spotted Lexie’s bisexual pride flag. Picking up the flag, she took it to the ironing board and carefully pressed out the wrinkles before moving on to the rest of Lexie’s parade costume. Lexie recalls that the simple act of love made her feel valued — showing that her grandmother would always support her and the things she cared about.
“[My grandma] believes that God created all people equally, and that we are deserving of love whether we’re straight or a part of the LGBTQIA* community. My grandma’s act of kindness inspired me to continue supporting and advocating for others in the LGBTQIA* community.”
Today, Lexie hopes that her story inspires allies to be even more supportive of their LGBTQIA* friends, coworkers, and family members.
