Heather Dubrow’s daughter Kat Dubrow has faced some challenges since coming out as a lesbian and she decided to share some of those struggles on the Real Housewives of Orange County.
On Wednesday’s episode of RHOC, Kat opened about the ups and downs she’s experienced since coming out.
“From what I saw from the outside of my older sister’s coming out story, everyone was supportive. Her friends were supportive,” Kat said in her confessional interview alongside mom Heather. “But when I came out, I was dealing with a lot of homophobia. I had issues with people at school who were saying the f-slur around me and who were just not very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Added Heather, “That just breaks my heart.”
Later on in the episode, Kat and Heather had a candid conversation about Kat contemplating removing her pride flag from her room after receiving some negative comments about her sexuality on TikTok.
“I got a comment the other day on TikTok,” Kat said. “I have the rainbow flag in my bio and I got a comment that said, ’14 and already gay. WTF.’ And then I got really embarrassed. I don’t know, it kind of made me think I should take it down and then get a smaller one in the corner of my room.”
Heather asked if Kat was worried about people’s opinions and criticism to which the 15-year-old replied, “I don’t know. Sometimes, it just feels embarrassing.”
“When you come out, negativity is really inevitable and it really hurts,” she continued. “It’s not something you’re prepared for until it happens and when it does happen, it kind of, like, hits you like a bus.”
The RHOC star encouraged Kat to do what feels best for her while also encouraging her to not let the haters get to her.
“I also don’t want you to not be yourself and not be confident in who you are and who you love and all of that,” Heather said. “So if you want to keep your big flag up, keep your big flag up. What do you care what one person says? Everyone else can go [f—] themselves as far as I’m concerned.”
She went on to say how grateful she is that her children are all so open with her. Heather notes that she’s thankful for how much her children have taught her over the years.
“To be perfectly honest, I have learned so much from you,” she continued. “Even at this age, I’m still trying to be self-actualized and grow and always try to be a better person and learn more and everything. I’m proud of you. I’m proud that you know who you are. And if you want to fly a flag and fly a huge one in your room, fly the damn flag.”
Heather didn’t stop there and went on to praise Kat’s “confidence” and intelligence, adding that it’s “so amazing to watch.”
“I wouldn’t be able to be confident if I didn’t have you as a mom,” Kat said to which Heather replied, “We’re both very lucky.”
Kat then admitted she struggled with her sexuality before deciding to come out.
“At first, I was very insecure and unsure of my sexuality,” she said. “Until I really started to get support from my family and the people around me, I think I really started to become proud and that just made me more comfortable with myself.”
The mom of four got emotional when talking about acceptance and how it pains her to think of all the kids whose parents can’t accept who they are.
“Everyone just wants to be loved and accepted. At the base minimum, that’s what your parents should be doing for you,” Heather said through tears. “So the thought that there are children out there whose parents don’t even accept them just kills me. It just kills me. Come to my house.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Wednesdays at 9 pm EST on Bravo.
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Source: PEOPLE