Andrea Russett Comes Out As Bisexual Following Ex Best Friend’s Homophobia

YouTuber Andrea Russett came out publicly as bisexual this weekend, following her realization that her ex-best friend, Sandra Poenar believes that those who are LGBTQ end up in Hell. Russett came out as bisexual to her friends and family four years ago, but it was the judgment of her friend that encouraged her to come out publicly in order to make sure that others do not feel ashamed of who they are. The coming out took place on Instagram. We’ve transcribed the Instagram post below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoAoUwWgGEO/?hl=en&taken-by=andrearussett

Transcription: “Sandra and I had a very close, very public friendship. Because of that, I feel it’s best I just address this so we can all move on. I came out to Sandra as bisexual four years ago. (Surprise! Yeah. Not exactly how I planned to come out publicly, but shit happens I guess). Anyway, she was the very first person I came out to. Following this, as I came out to more and more friends, she was always there to give me advice on girls I liked. She sat with me while I cried about the thought of coming out to my parents. She knew me better than anyone in my life. She was family to me.

Over the last year, my friend who is openly gay, attended a nondenominational church with Sandra. On the drive home he was asking questions about her views on religion, one of them being, ‘So do you think I’m going to hell because I’m gay?’ Sandra responded, ‘Yes.’ She went on to tell him that he can be ‘saved’ with conversion therapy. When he shared this information with me I was.. at a loss for words. But still, I knew I needed to ask her directly. I needed to hear it from her mouth. So I did just that.

I straight up asked Sandra, “Do you think that because Im bisexual, Im going to hell? She looked me dead in the eyes and said yes. She went on to tell me that she believes being gay in a choice. I asked her is these have always been her views and she said yes. I will never find the words to properly describe to hurt I felt in that moment. She was one of the only people I trusted in my life. And now all I can do is rethink every conversation we had, every situation in which I was with a girl around her, and wonder what she really thought of me. Wonder if she was judging me. It is a very deep and personal hurt that I do not plan on acknowledging or discussing after this post. I am heartbroken and confused. I don’t know why she chose to move in with me while having these beliefs.

I don’t know that I even want to know at this point. Im choosing to move forward and focus on the people in my life who love and accept me for who I am. And to anyone who is struggling with anything similar in their live, you are not alone. You are not any less of a person because of who you may choose to love. “How you make others feel about themselves says a lot about you”. Love is love.”

Andrea Russett had further statements on Twitter, saying that she is not against anyone’s beliefs until they cross over into intolerance and that despite the circumstances, she is happy to come out publicly, something she’s always wanted to do and is happy to do so during Bi Visibility Week.

Russett additionally covers bi erasure, that element when people assume that your bisexuality is only a bridge to homosexuality or just a slight detour from your heterosexuality (i.e.: “experimentation”), and, in one of her final Tweets on the subject, thanks her supportive fan base for making coming out such a welcoming experience for her.

i don’t have a problem with anyones beliefs until they take away from someones rights as a human being because of who they are or who they choose to love. that’s not faith, that’s discrimination. ????????‍♀️

— Andrea Russett (@AndreaRussett) September 19, 2018

Let's focus on the silver lining! I'm out publicly!! 🙂 I have dreamt of coming out for years, and despite the circumstances, Im THANKFUL. pic.twitter.com/PnF9HI3XGF

— Andrea Russett (@AndreaRussett) September 22, 2018

before i log off for a bit i just wanna say an enormous thank u. for listening. for empathizing. for understanding. i mean it when i say i never thought i would have the strength or courage to come out. it feels like a weight has been lifted, and like i can BREATHE. thank u ♥️

— Andrea Russett (@AndreaRussett) September 22, 2018

happy #BiVisibilityDay!!! a huge fear i had about coming out was the stigma of “its just a phase” or “this is just the baby step to admitting she’s lesbian”. but sharing this part of myself with u all has only made me more confident in who i am. ????️‍????♥️

— Andrea Russett (@AndreaRussett) September 23, 2018

We here at What’s Trending support Andrea Russet’s coming out, and want to congratulate her and all the other LGBTQA men and women who found the courage to be themselves in an ever-evolving world.