A Mother From Pennsylvania

A mother with other LGBTQ family members tells of her gay son.

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

  • We were driving Nathan to his first year in college. About two hours from home he announced to his father and me that he was gay. I said, “I love you. Please jsut don’t let anyone tell you if you just loved Jesus more, it would go away!” I just wanted him to know I loved him…just the way he is!

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

  • Worried about his room mate at college. He assured me it was OK. Also worried about getting sick from AIDS; he assured me he takes his medicine.

  • Has your child come out to other family members over time? If yes, what was their reaction?

  • We have other queer folk in our family so it really wasn’t a surprise. Everyone accepts my son.

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

  • That some people will assume he is bad that they will miss the opportunity to know a really wonderful person.

  • Knowing what you know today, would you want your child to “stay in the closet”? Why?

  • No, I wish he would have told me sooner.

  • What would you say to youth coming out to their families?

  • Be brave and proud. You were born this way and God loves you just the way you are. Know that your parents have a plans for you. Your sexual identity may change some of those ideas…but it will be OK; change is hard to accept; it takes time. The bottom line is they love you.

Share Your Story

Strong Family Alliance seeks to share stories that illustrate the wide variety of experiences families and LGBTQ youth experience, so other parents will know they’re not alone in their journey.

Share Now