If your teen told you they were g*y or bisexual how would you feel?

Question

Would you still love them? Would you accept them and care for them still? Would you disown them or be disgusted by them?

Answer 1

I would still love him/her because he/she still is my child.

Answer 2

I'd thank them for telling me, give them a hug and say that I love them - the same as if they sat me down and told me they were straight. Then I'd make sure to tell them about safe s*x (yet again), because that's d**n important, no matter what s*x they're interested in, and tell them that if I find out they are being abused by their mate (ever) then I will still have to kick some major ***.

If my child's friend came to me with this, I would offer them support, and that if their parents did react harshly or needed time to deal with it, that the friend could come stay with us - as long as the parents are told where they are so they can contact their child as soon as they wish. If they did need some time to deal with it then I can respect that while still giving the child a roof over their head and food in their stomach. I'd also tell them not to get horribly upset and feel like their parents hate them if the parents are honest and say that yes, they are a bit disappointed. I'll remind them that parents are human and that it might take them a bit to deal with their emotions and come around.

I find it unfortunate that people simply turn their back on their own child over their religious beliefs in this area when the whole point of almost every religion is supposed to be love and respecting each other.

Answer 3

Your parents are your parents no matter what they'll always love you even if they don't fully agree with your lifestyle choices.!!your parents are your parents no matter what they'll always love you even if they don't fully agree with your lifestyle choices.

I have to say i am a lot depressed and feel the burden to be LGBT. Actually, I know many successful story for my circle of LGBT friends on http://www.bimingle.com . but also some sad ones as Sarah. I am not sure how to confirm you. But i do hope things will be better for you!!!

Answer 4

If anyone of my children came home and told be this I would love them just as I would if they weren't. I don't think that I would feel comfortable enough to let their mate into my home right away but I would grow into it.

Answer 5

i would be happy that they felt comfortable enough to tell me, and theres alot worse they could do.

Answer 6

relieved not to be one of those parents whom kids think they have to hide that kind of information from

Answer 7

it's hard to know how anyone's reaction would be until that time actually comes. i hope i will be understanding and accepting. of course i will ***always*** love my children. i have had g*y friends in the past, they are no different than anyone else, just their sexual preference. i think i might be disappointed that i wouldn't have grandchildren (i know it's selfish)...but hopefully by that time it will be easier for them to adopt.

Answer 8

if my daughter came to me at 16 years old and said mom i'm interested in both boys and girls or mom i'm not interested in guys but i find girls fascinating, i wouldn't love her any less.

some of my best friends are part of the LGBT community and i myself am open about the fact that i am attracted to women and have dated women in the past.

i don't think you should be ashamed of your sexuality no matter what age you are. and your parents are your parents no matter what they'll always love you even if they don't fully agree with your lifestyle choices.

Answer 9

I wouldn't feel anything, my response would be....

"alrighty, when do we get to meet your special lady/dude."

It would be a non issue, as non issue as anything could ever be.

Answer 10

first, i would be relieved s/he was able to tell me at such an early age, so that i would be able to help him/her navigate the difficult path through teen sexual development -- harder as a homosexual or bisexual. beyond that, my biggest concern would be problems s/he would have with others who are intolerant. every parent wants her child to be happy, and any obstacles to that happiness are regrettable. however, i have and would have no problem with a child who is bi-or homosexual. disgust would never enter into my reaction or feelings. not one bit. in addition to the fact that i have friends of all different sexualities, i accept my daughter for who she is 100%. as long as who she is does nothing to hurt other people, i will always accept and support her. and, jeez, sexuality is really the least of my concerns -- as long as her sexuality is healthy and she is happy, whatever!

it is hard for me to understand how one's sexuality can be seen as a failure of the parents' "value system" (regarding an answer above me). i guess i don't see sexual preference, which i believe is biological anyway, to be a matter of values. kindness...generosity...pride in one's self and one's body...those are values to me.i would feel less like a failure than like a shining success that my child was able to face a difficult admission, and, even more gratifying, share it with me. that is so far from failure in my eyes. i am not intending to disrespect the answerer's feelings or opinion...it's just hard for me to imagine that reaction.

edit for carrie: wow -- thank you for a calm, thoughtful response. clearly, we disagree, particularly on the biology point. BUT: thank you for a response that was not angry or argumentative. it's refreshing to disagree and have the disagreement as a respectful discussion, especially where issues like this one are concerned. here's to agreeing to disagree and the right to raise our children accordingly and respectfully of others! woo hoo!

Answer 11

There are some parents who would freak out and maybe even need a while to come to terms with it, but most should take it pretty well. Of course they're going to be shocked and confused, but the teen should stay calm and be prepared to answer any and all questions. He/she should make sure to remain calm and mature in the situation so the parents realize it's not just a phase, but something the teen has given alot of thought to. I know that I would be very supportive of my children, "coming out of the closet" is a very hard thing to do, the last thing I would want to do is make it any harder for them. I am assuming that you are a teen considering telling your parents. Go for it. I don't think they will disown you or be disgusted by you, and you'll feel alot better once you can just let go and be yourself and not have to hide how you really feel. Good luck!

Answer 12

Like a failure.

Would I still love them...yes

Would I accept them and care for them...yes

Would I disown them  or be disgusted by them...no

But I would  still feel like I failed to make real to them the value system we have raised them with.

***********Ruby's mom:  I can understand how it would be hard for some to understand my opinion.  I, too once would have had trouble understanding it.  I think you have made good points about what values are and I don't disagree with you, but I would have to say the difference lies in thinking our sexuality choices are biological.  I do not believe that anyone is "born" g*y, I believe it is a choice.  With that in mind, I feel choosing to be g*y is against our belief system.  I am respectful of everyone's place in life.  I do not have hatred toward homosexuality (in fact I have a g*y friend ), and I would love and accept my children however they 'decided' to be.  But I would see it as a failure on my part to make our beliefs "real" to them rather than just words.  Hope this explains it a little better.

Ruby's mom~~~~   :-)