Mother is shocked when adult daughter comes out as bisexual

Mother struggles to reframe her view of her bisexual daughter, the future, and their relationship.

  • Briefly describe how your child first came out to you and your initial reactions.

  • My 20-year-old daughter told me via text that she has been wanting to tell me for a while. She is attracted to girls and boys. She says she’s felt this way for over a year now. I was shocked to say the least. I told her I loved her and nothing would ever change that. But inside I was a wreck. I immediately had a panic attack and couldn’t sleep all night. It’s been about 4 days since I found out. I’m still struggling

  • What concerns did you experience over the first weeks or months? How did you deal with them?

  • How hard her life would be. How would I tell my extended family. Would they accept her and treat her with love.

    What would this mean for the future? Marriage? Grandkids?

  • Has your child come out to other family members over time?

  • No.

  • What is the hardest thing about knowing their LGBTQ identity?

  • It made me feel like the ground went from under me. Like I didn’t know my daughter.

  • What is the best thing about knowing your child's LGBTQ identity?

  • That she had the bravery to tell us

  • What would you say to other parents learning the LGBTQ identity of their child?

  • I’m still processing this. So I guess take it one day at a time.

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