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Could my son be gay? *Long post*

Discussion in 'Family, Friends, and Relationships' started by justcallmemom, Aug 7, 2013.

  1. justcallmemom

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    I just joined this site tonight specifically to ask this question: Could my son be gay? Let me give you a little background on the "situation". About a year ago, when my 14 year old son would get out of the shower, I will occasional find a small amount feces in the shower. I thought maybe he was waiting too long to go to the bathroom and let a little go in the shower. Gross, but, I wasn't trying to embarrass my son by approaching him over it. After about 3 times of finding this, I approached him and asked him to please clean up the mess if it happened again. Then I started finding things in his room that had feces on them. Such as ink pens, markers, etc, and the feces were smeared in a fashion that looked as if they were probably inserted into the anus. Then I found gay porn on the computer history. I approached him about the gay porn as I don't agree with him viewing porn of any kind. I didn't ask if he thought he might be gay, but he willingly told me he was not. I told him that it didn't matter to me if he was gay or not. He's my son and I love him regardless of his sexual preferences. I also told him that if at any point he decided he was gay, that I hoped he would be comfortable telling me. He is interested in girls. He currently has a beautiful girlfriend and has pictures of girls pinned up in his bedroom. He also has strong interests in fashion, loves to wear nice clothes and shoes, etc. He has painted his toe-nails several times in the past few years and even painted his fingernails when he was younger. It's so conflicting. I feel he shows gay tendencies, but shows straight tendencies as well. I'm unsure if he is gay, curious, or if he just enjoys anal stimulation and watching the gay porn. I'm just simply unsure. I know his father would be mortified and that could be a factor in his denying it if he is gay. I really would appreciate honest opinions from those that have been down this path. Is this typical heterosexual behavior or is he tipping the scales in the other direction? Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and for your opinions.
     
  2. LD579

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    He could be gay. He could be straight. He could be bisexual. There are other possibilities, but we can simplify it to that. You've already asked, and he told you he isn't, so there isn't much you can do but continue to be supportive of him. If or when he is ready, assuming he does like guys in that way, we can hope that he'd feel comfortable to tell you. I wish you the best =)

    As for 'tendencies', those are just stereotypes. Stereotypes are not reliable indicators of one's sexuality.
     
    #2 LD579, Aug 7, 2013
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2013
  3. Chierro

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    You're missing the quite obvious possibility of him being bi. If anything I would say he's bi or bi-curious.

    Also you're going to need to understand, he's going to watch porn whether you allow him to or not. Watching porn is much better than any alternatives out there.
     
  4. justcallmemom

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    Everyone I know is either gay or straight so I hadn't thought of the possibility of him being bi, but, you're right. It is a real possibility. I really hope he does feel comfortable enough to tell me if he is. And I understand that at this age he may not even know himself. It's such a difficult age to be.
     
  5. David2231

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    Every person is different and has different interests and habits, only he knows fully what sexuality he is.
     
  6. It is possible that he is bisexual or curious. Since you have already asked and he said no, just leave it at that, but let him know you would support him either way. If he is bisexual or gay, he will tell you when he is comfortable. Good luck.
     
  7. dfiant

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    THIS. times 100
     
  8. blueberrymuffin

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    Now that you've assured your son that he can tell you, you're just going to have to wait till he's ready. From what i understand, anal stimulation and gay porn are both common for a lot of kids who end up being hetero. That's an age when hormones can take over and you and he just have to wait it out.
     
  9. Chip

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    I think it's pretty likely he isn't straight. Whether he's gay or bi, that I don't think anyone (including him) can probably answer at this point.

    I'm also going to disagree with the others about the stereotypes. Yes, they are stereotypes, but stereotypes exist for a reason, and, generally speaking, you don't tend to find a lot of straight guys who paint their toenails and are strongly into fashion. There are also quite a few gay guys (myself and many others I know included) who had multiple, attractive girlfriends in high school. So given this, and the fact that he apparently enjoys anal play, I'd personally guess -- and it's only a guess -- that the scales probably tip a bit more toward gay than bi. But as I said, it's likely no one, including your son, knows for sure yet.

    You've done what you can. At this stage, you just need to be supportive, and try your best not to keep bringing it up, because likely he's terrified not that you won't be accepting, but just simply of being "different"... nonconfirmity is often one of the worst fears for many people at his age.

    You might consider at some point just casually mentioning that this community exists, and that if he ever has questions or concerns, it would be a good place to explore.

    Other than that, as much as you want to know a definitive answer... you may just have to accept the idea that you may not get one for a year or three or five. It just depends on his level of comfort, and pushing the issue will likely push him further into the closet if, indeed, he's there now.

    I do have to say he's really lucky to have a parent as concerned and loving and openminded and accepting as you are. Many, many kids aren't nearly so lucky.
     
  10. KingdomKeyDK

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    Bisexuality is a possibility in this instance. I feel the same way he does almost. He may be sexually attracted to men, but he has a girlfriend. I discovered I was this way at his same age of 14. I'm turning 15 soon, and my orientation has become a possibility of me being bisexual. He could very well be bisexual. About his answer to you about his sexuality, he is probably in shock that you found out and he just doesn't want to tell anyone about it yet. Wait and see what he has to say. Coming out to family members is the hardest thing to do, so give him some time and leave the subject alone.
     
  11. lukeluvznicki13

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    Just give him some time. He may feel uncomfortable or unsure about his sexuality at this moment. Since he is still a teen (like myself), he may still be figuring out what sex he prefers etc. He could be gay, bi, straight or bi curious, heavens who knows yet :slight_smile:
    He could most probably be bi curious and is experimenting at this moment in time.
     
  12. wanderinggirl

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    Sticking markers in an anus is not a good idea... they probably don't cover stuff like that in sex ed, but it might be good to bring up the dangers of doing this.
     
  13. Pat

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    You'll really just have to wait it out. Just because we can tell, or we approach someone about sexuality, doesn't mean it's the appropriate time. My mom caught me with the porn thing around the same age, but I denied it for another 6 years. And then at some point, it became an, "I don't know" response.. everyone comes around in their own time. You're right to be suspicious. And I agree that the porn and the other experimentation should be limited or at least discretionary, damn lol. He's not good at hiding it I guess. I think you're an awesome mom and hopefully he'll come to you when he's ready. And there's a good chance you don't have anything to worry about also. He's likely bisexual or just bi-curious. Either way, once he finds out..he'll let you know. Just try to keep the avenues for communication open.
     
  14. merlin

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    I would agree with those who say it may be a bit too early to tell. He is likely still exploring his sexuality and although he definitely shows signs of having a gay bias (if you like), that doesn't mean he will be gay once he grows up. Keeping an open channel with your son is indeed the best thing you can do right now. If you fear your husband might react very negatively towards this, just help your son (without him necessarily knowing it) to stay in his current closet (if that is where he is) until he and you (in that order ;-) feel safe to come out (if that is the case). I am also a bit concerned about the objects he is using as risk for infections etc. are real. So, if you feel he would be willing to discuss this, please advice not to use these objects (if you are really bold, you might consider buying toys that are made for this purpose and safe, but I understand you might not want to go there). In sum, he needs time and space to figure things out. He has a girlfriend so he the option to explore that type of relationship. If he likes it, fine. If he doesn't, you can tell.

    Good luck and as Chip and others said, it is great to see a parent so supportive.
     
  15. FreeFlow9917

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    Hey its pretty cool that you wouldn't care if your son was bi, as i did the same thing he did with markers etc.; the thing is that you should let him explore his feelings because you never know, but make sure he doesn't anally pleasure himself all the time, but its inevitable if he does it, just observe his feelings because i know other parents hate it and repress their kid. If he ever does come out, be happy
     
  16. skiff

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    Perfectly honest...

    If my mother was trolling my life that closely I would not give her fodder to be trolling my life even closer.

    When my older sister asked my parents if they thought I was gay they told her it was none of any bodies business and not discussed.

    I believe you are summarily putting your son's trust before a firing squad.
     
  17. Wells

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    Chances are he's bisexual. Seeing as you've seen faeces around several times and gay porn, then bisexual is the most likely. But take this from a boy of the same age: don't pressure him to come oit and leave him to do it in his own time. Coming out is not all about trust. It's about accepting yourself and figuring yourself out too. And believe me, that can take years.
     
  18. rika

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    Yeah, I'd echo what others said and be more concerned that he is well informed on things like safety, safe sex etc and doesn't endanger himself in any way.

    As for labels, really they don't matter that much and some people think something only to find out something else - and as you said, it wouldn't change how you treat him to know he's gay, so as long as he's comfortable with you and you guys have a great relationship, it doesn't matter at all.
     
  19. KyleD

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    I think you need to have a serious sex education talk with him.
     
  20. swimmertriangle

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    I know a guy who's gay but he has "straight tendencies" - meaning he likes to watch football and play sports and hangs out with all the guys. He might be bi too or he might be straight but enjoy gay porn. There are a lot of possibilities, but he's still probably trying to figure out what he is. I'd wait until he came to terms with his sexuality and told you himself instead of trying to push it out of him.