Well, I think there are many different ways how the family or the friends will react.
In fact, I had a real bad time with my parents after I had my coming out. Both, my mother as well as my father, couldn't understand that and they treid to "change my mind" to be "normal" again. I had real much discussions abaout that and one time it was so heavy, that my parents told me to leave the house.
So I did that. I Had luck that my boyfreind already had is own flat, so I went to him and staid there. After a few month I had contact with my parents again. Not the sort of contact you may wish to have to your parents, but what should I do?
By now I have my own flat as well. I have a real great job to do and my new boyfriend is just awesome
The contact to my parents has become better by now. I think they accept it boy now, even if they give me hints to become "normal" again. But this is my decision. I have my own live and so they can't tell me what to do or not. Everything's fine for me.