Help! My Son is Gay: Support for those stgglg wh homosexualy

Contents:

• HOW TO ACCEPT THAT YOUR CHILD IS GAY, LBIAN OR BISEXUAL
• HOW TO ACCEPT YOUR GAY CHILD
• WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GAY
• WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD SAYS: "I'M GAY"
• RPONDG TO ADULT CHILD WHO SAYS HE’S GAY
• RPONDG LOVE TO AN ADULT GAY CHILD
• HOW CAN I LEARN TO ACCEPT MY GAY SON
• WHAT TO DO IF YOU SPECT YOUR KID IS GAY OR TRANSGENR
• HELP! MY SON IS GAY

HOW TO ACCEPT THAT YOUR CHILD IS GAY, LBIAN OR BISEXUAL

But if your child out as gay, lbian, or bisexual, might e as a shock—many parents feel unprepared, upset, or even a ltle nfed. Bisexual people often hear that their sexualy is “jt a phase, ” and that they’ll eventually be eher straight or gay.

HOW TO ACCEPT YOUR GAY CHILD

Try lookg at s like Advot for Youth, The Fay Acceptance Project, and Parents, Fai, Friends, and Alli of Lbians and Gays (PFLAG). At what age would a child know for sure she's homosexual?

If your child says she's homosexual, regardls of her age, be acceptg and show love and support.

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GAY

Article SummaryXTo accept that your child is homosexual or bisexual, the first and most important thg is to make sure your child knows that you love them. For more rmatn on how to talk your child after learng they are homosexual or bisexual, see below. You n, however, learn to accept your child's homosexualy and, as a rult, you may have a stronger relatnship wh them.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD SAYS: "I'M GAY"

Even if you don't know how to handle the news that your child is gay, 's important to regnize that was difficult for your child to tell you this. While you may be stgglg wh learng that your child is gay, keep md that is really an opportuny to velop a closer, stronger relatnship wh your child. Your child is probably worried about beg rejected by you for beg gay, so is important to make sure that your child knows that you love them no matter what.

Don’t say that you “spected” that your child was gay.

Inditg or statg outright that you already knew your child was gay may be extremely upsettg to them. Even if this is the se, do not tell your child that you spected them of beg gay. Some people have strong relig beliefs that nmn homosexualy.

RPONDG TO ADULT CHILD WHO SAYS HE’S GAY

It is normal to experience a wi range of feelgs when you first learn that your child is gay.

RPONDG LOVE TO AN ADULT GAY CHILD

Start a journal and e to keep a daily rerd of how you are feelg about your child’s news that they are gay.

Steer clear of people who are openly biased about gay people or who have relig beliefs that might e them to nmn your child for beg gay. Tell your iend how you found out that your child is gay, how you reacted, how you are feelg now, and how you are tryg to learn how to accept your child.

LGBT stands for Lbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgenr.

HOW CAN I LEARN TO ACCEPT MY GAY SON

Sce many people have misnceptns about what means to be gay, is helpful to learn as much as you n to ensure that you have an accurate unrstandg of your child’s sexualy.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SPECT YOUR KID IS GAY OR TRANSGENR

Spendg qualy time wh your child is important, but might be even more important after you learn that your child is gay. You might also nsir askg a tstworthy adult iend or fay member who is gay if they would be willg to meet wh your child and act as a role mol. Havg support om an adult who is also gay may be helpful for your child and helpful for you as well.

HELP! MY SON IS GAY

4Talk to other parents of gay children for support. It is also helpful to lk up wh other parents of gay children as you work towards acceptg your child for beg gay. Never send your child to an ex-gay or nversn therapy group.

If your child out to you as LGBTQ (lbian, gay, bisexual, transgenr, or queer), that may or may not be somethg you imaged or feel prepared for—but your acceptance really matters to their health and safety.