Being the ‘gay cousin’ at Thanksgiving is a lot of work, the internet says
Thanksgiving 2019 is a stressful time for many in the LGBT+ community. (Getty/Twitter)
With countless LGBT+ people headed home for Thanksgiving, the internet is groaning under the weight of America’s “gay cousins” letting off steam.
For those who aren’t lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving with chosen family, the holidays can often be a difficult period.
Arriving back to your hometown for Thanksgiving gay af pic.twitter.com/eIqmr0OG04
— The Gay Burn Book (@SouthernHomo) November 27, 2019
It’s a sad reality that for many, Turkey Day means having to break bread with undesirable relatives.
with thanksgiving coming up i thought i would share this gem from two years ago. just a gay with their republican aunt <3 pic.twitter.com/4E1xvU7mmz
— Zach Morris✨ (@zachmorris2002) November 25, 2019
thanksgiving holiday day 1: relative told me that they almost had to stop watching a show bc it introduced* an LGBTQ+ character.
This show is about a woman who cheats on her husband bc she’s bored.But being gay is a sin ?
— sammie ?️??? (@msmistyeyee) November 26, 2019
It’s 5 hours until Thanksgiving and I’ve already been subjected to the “But how do you KNOW you’re gay if you haven’t been with a woman?” conversation, including disgusted reactions from loved ones when I mentioned kissing guys. So I win! Good game, gays; better luck next year.
— Mark O’Brien (@mobrienbooks) November 27, 2019
Casual – or in some cases overt – homophobia aside, going home for the Thanksgiving presents a whole host of problems specific to the queer community.
Gay Thanksgiving is:
• Taking thirst traps in your childhood bathroom / bedroom
• Logging onto Grindr but not actually able to host anyone
• Being silent at the dinner table when relatives ask about everyone’s dating life
• Walking around your hometown like a celebrity
— Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) November 28, 2019
Some feel the need to hide their true selves at Thanksgiving.
Me screaming gay rights on the internet vs. me at family Thanksgiving https://t.co/fhhU2biiqu
— thankful yesman (@poolpartyfairy1) November 26, 2019
Though others are fortunate enough to be able to express themselves freely.
Me at Thanksgiving not helping cook, not contributing to any conversation, not doing anything but sitting with my contraband liquor and a purse full of noodles pic.twitter.com/R3tTE70EKM
— The Q Files Pod ? Lana Del Gay ?️? (@McClellandShane) November 27, 2019
me, the gay cousin, walking empty-handed toward the thanksgiving table, ready to announce that karlie kloss is a lesbian for the 5th year in a row pic.twitter.com/Vi0NgY6oLJ
— Jill Gutowitz (@jillboard) November 26, 2019
My gay behind walking into PJ’s sports bar back home the night before thanksgiving to see people I went to high school with: pic.twitter.com/YWYOUbejPO
— Mark McDevitt (@MarkTMcDevitt) November 26, 2019
As the internet reminds us, not all families are terrible.
Mom banned the homophobic uncle this Thanksgiving and invited the gay cousin and that’s what I’m thankful for this year
— Tom Lebert (@tom_lebert) November 28, 2019
my favorite thing about hosting thanksgiving each year is that my cousin’s trump supporter husband has to sit on one of our spare fold-out chairs while my gay ass sits at the head of the table where I belong
— Nick ? (@nlabosco) November 27, 2019
And even if they are, it doesn’t take away from your own identity.
A friendly reminder this thanksgiving that regardless of what your yeehaw homophobic family members say, it’s more than okay to be gay
— ✵ jackie ✵ (@jackie_not_chan) November 28, 2019
