'I'm gay but my parents want me to get married'

My parents are unaware of my sexual orientation nor would they accept it. They are planning to marry me to a girl from our native place. I don't want to spoil her future. Also, my boyfriend is 20 with a very liberal mother. I just don't have the courage to let my family know of my predicament.
- Ritwik

Illustration/ Amit Bandre

Dear Ritwik,
You have kept your parents in the dark and they have no clue about you. But you need to tell them the truth. Telling them will be tough for you. I can understand your situation because you won't know how to tell them or when to tell them. So don't wait for the perfect time - it will never come. Just tell them honestly. They will react. Perhaps they will be angry or may be just accept the way you are. It all depends how you tell them. It is however better to face the storm rather than ruin that girl's life. Also, give them time for the matter to sink in.u00a0

Diana will solve it!
Write to Diana at diana@mid-day.com, or fax her on 24150009. You can also post letters to Dear Diana, Mid Day, Peninsula Centre, Dr S S Rao Road, opp Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012u00a0