For being slower to introduce new relationship (with a woman)

[lalala2]

Basically I have found myself in the beginning of a really lovely relationship and I'm happier than I have been in a long time. The only thing is it's with another woman which has kind of thrown me/complicated things.
It shouldn't, and I'm completely open minded, have lots of gay and lesbian friends etc but for some reason I'm really reluctant to bring the relationship out in the open. Which feels very unfair on this great woman and I think she's starting to think I'm ashamed of her which is not the case at all.

It's just like once I go there I can never turn back, a few of my friends know but I feel like it's a much bigger deal telling family/dds father's family or letting them find out etc.

I'm ashamed of myself for making an issue of it but I can't help it. AIBU to be more reluctant to introduce etc than if it was a man?

Anyone?

I can understand why you are taking things more slowly, particularly if you haven't dated women previously.

As long as it doesn't turn into "hiding" the relationship then I don't think yabu.

Take things at a pace you're comfortable with and talk to your girlfriend so she knows what you're thinking.

Do you have any reason to think your family would be homophobic?

I can understand your uncertainty as this is new territory, but I think you will have to get over that soon for the sake of the relationship, as I don't think your partner would like to be kept secret because of her gender.

I can see why it's hard but I think once you bite the bullet and do it you will wonder why you were so worried. It must be hard for your partner as well. As a gay woman myself I couldn't be with someone long term who couldn't be honest about our relationship as it would feel too much like embarrassment or shame.

If you haven't had a relationship with a woman before then I can imagine that its a big step to take. Ask your new partner how long it took her to announce her first relationship to her family and if she has any advice about it - presumably she's been through this and may be able to help you take that step.

Thanks all!

She's very understanding to be honest and I would take things slow regardless of gender but in all honesty at this stage it's only gender holding me back right now. Absolutely nobody would be homophobic or weird about it, it just seems like a much bigger step because it's the first woman I've been with. I'm 26 so seems an unusual age to be having this dilemma, anybody else I know had all this at 16 or so. I have never been in a relationship with a woman so it's new ground, I think I'd rather people just "know" than me having to "disclose" it as if it's a big deal, if that makes sense?

If you are worried about disclosing in an obvious way, how about just slipping it in casually?

'my girlfriend and I would love to meet you for dinner' or something similar. Or put in on facebook so the world knows?