I'm not accepted because of my sexuality. What can I do?

[Guest]

I'm 15 and live in Texas and I've already read up on all the runaway and emancipation laws I could find but unfortunately since it's such a conservative state there's not much like I feel I can do. I have a lot of friends families that would be willing to take care of me and accept me for who I am but the last thing I want is to get them in legal complications. I've searched for all the resources I could uncover but came up with nothing useful. I'm obviously not going to do something if it means my friends parents could get sued for harboring a runaway. I don't have an abusive family so there would be no point in trying to get out through CPS. I'm jut tired of them trying to change me. I've played along with it for so long but now my situation has only seemed to get worse. My girlfriend's dad discovered we were still dating and all hell broke loose when my parents found out. My mom and aunt are especially religious and firm believers. They constantly condemn me to hell if I don't convert to their ways. My moms threatened to abandon me several times at a boarding school because of who I am and my stepdad makes homophobic comments which I see as verbal abuse. I don't feel safe or accepted at home anymore. My family wants to possibly force me out of the country to go to school and definitely move me from my current school which has always been my safe place from home and their homophobia, the only place where I feel accepted and have people who support me. I'm completely devastated at this point and running out of hope. Please help.

[ccsmod6]

Hi!
Thank you so much for reaching out to us. We are here to help you and support you as best we can. It looks like you might be in a very frustrating situation, but it’s very courageous of you to reach out and ask for help.
It’s understandable to feel the way you do. It seems like what you described might be considered emotional and verbal abuse.
It’s not ok to be treated the way you are being treated, but you do have many options.
We will offer some of them, and provide some resources for you, but the best way we can help you is by offering resources based on details you provide while talking over the phone or by chatting online.
One option you have is talking to school personnel. Have you spoken to your counselor or social worker at school? You can also talk to your favorite teacher about what is going on at home.
Another option is talking to other relatives who are ok with your sexuality. Maybe they can help your situation by talking to your parents. Have you considered spending some time living with relatives?
Here at NRS, we offer 2 mediation services.
The first is a messaging service. We can relay a message to your parents on your behalf. For us to do this, however, you must call us and give us the message over the phone.
We also offer a conference call option. If you call us, we can mediate a conference call between you and your parents.
If you’re feeling sad or depressed, the Trevor Project is a great resource. You can reach them online at thetrevorproject.org or by phone at 1-800-273-8255.
Again, it’s not ok to be treated the way you are being treated, it might be considered child abuse. Because of this, another option available to you is filing a child abuse report.
We have many other resources for you, but would need for you to call us or chat with us online through our website.
Again, we’re really glad that you reached out to us. It takes a lot to ask for help and you are trying to figure out your options which is really good to see. If you would like to talk further about your situation, please do not hesitate to call or chat with us.
You can reach us online at www.1800runaway.org or by phone at 1-800-786-2929
We’re here to listen, here to help.