My son just came out to me

This all gets me choked up! There should be more parents like you in the world, it would be a much better place

 

What an awesome mom, and an awesome father (your husband) too.
Yes, he will have a hard road ahead, but something key to remember is that everyone goes through struggles in live, whether it be health, finances, family issues, abuse, tragedy or anything. As long as he has a good support network, it won't break him. And if you think about it, how much easier is it today than it would have been 20-30+ years ago?
The tables are slowly starting to turn, and people who discriminate against peoples sexuality are more often perceived as intolerant, and gay-bashing is becoming less socially acceptable.
If his biological father is going to be a jerk, then tell him to get lost until he wakes up. If he's being bullied by people who don't like him, he definitely shouldn't be bullied by someone who loves him.
I think people deserve some discretion and time to process things inside their brains and come to terms with finding out someone they know is gay, but sensitivity is required, and if you don't feel that his bio-dad can do that for him... maybe just trust your son to tell him when he feels brave enough.

 

Congratulations. You know you have raised a child properly when they have this confidence in you, well done.

As for him talking to his biological father, he has to do what he feels he has to do, but at least he knows he doesn't have to do it alone now.

Bullying? I hate it, but it is a sad fact of life and once again he knows he is loved, he is confident within himself so I know he will be OK...I also look at the positive side...your son is a trail blazer...he is paving the way for others that will come along after him.

Each person that comes out publicly becomes a role model for others and puts us one step closer to the day when being straight is not an assumption and coming out is not necessary.

Good luck to all of you

 

I read through this post and I caught myself tearing up and eventually crying minutes later. The tears that were shed were tears of joy that a mother of any caliber could handle their son telling them that they were gay, I only wish I have you as a mother just as immediately accepting as you were. I'm glad I took the time to read this post, it restored some of my faith in humanity.

 

You are an awesome mother, and your son is very brave to be able to tell you something at that young of an age! If only every mother out there was like you.

About fears of possible bullying, I can say almost assuredly that there will be some people out there that may try to give your son a hard time. For the most part, the younger you go in year of birth, the more accepting of gays and lesbians kids are. Depending on if it's an urban area with a big LGBT population or a smaller town where gays might not be looked up upon as much could very well affect his future coming out plans. A good thing to do would to look up his school's bullying and discrimination policies to see if they include sexual orientation and gender identity. If they do, it'll be a lot easier to confront any intolerance your son might face. If it is a larger school that has one, your son could join a GSA if he wants to meet people like him and get advice from others. A great place for you to go for any other parental information is a local PFLAG group, or a website.

I hoped this helped answer some questions you had. Again, I am so happy to hear a story like this. You are a wonderful mom with a wonderful kid.

 

This is a beautiful thread, and you are a fantastic mother for accepting this without conditions. And what can any of us say about your son? If I had half his courage at his age, things would have been vastly different.

That light in his eyes that you describe is a reflection of the peace that follows the struggle we have all been through, it is a deep unburdening, a kind of surrender to an inescapable fact, and a kind of joy at discovering something so important about oneself.

Your support is crucial in how his orientation develops. Your support over time will give him the confidence he will need to navigate these somewhat difficult waters. But, as the others said above, things are getting better....

 

(*hug*) Your post made me cry. It made me so happy that you have each other! Wish my mom had been like you.

 

Oh that's so sweet, your son is so brave xx

 

You are an incredible mother. I will admit that I had a lump in my throat reading your post.

The fact you can separate the intrinsic desire to protect your boy and embrace the person he is just absolutely floors me.

Your son coming out, despite the bullying he's experienced and the attitude of his birth father, clearly demonstrates a strong will and a well developed sense of self. Judging by the way you are going about this, you and your husband are the reason for this.

I love that you are getting involved with PFLAG and even helping him build social networks. Regardless of anything that might happen, it's this sort of stuff that will make it insignificant because he will know that there are people that care about him and love him for who he is.

Basically, your family is awesome!

 

It was worth reading that twice

It was worth saying twice as well

I'm really enjoying this thread, it's nice to have a feel good story

 

You are an amazing mother! He will need support, but I have no doubt he will receive every ounce he needs from you guys.
Good luck!

 

You are an amazing mom, to be so accepting of your son and congrats to your son for being so brave . So many people wish they had courage to come out and also many fear about what their parents would say.
Give yourself a patt on your back for being so accepting and just being such a loving mom

 

This post just completely restored my faith in humanity...

 

You are an awesome mom. Way to be supportive. There needs to be more moms like you. The only thing I would say is don't out him to his father if he doesn't want you too. You said he wants to tell him yourself, so let him and just be there for support if it goes badly.

 

I have to say, i'm really impressed by you and your son. To come out at that age, i can't imagine. It takes a lot of courage indeed to tell his friends too, as well as knowing you'd be supportive, and you should be proud. Obviously very many of us on this forum wish we had a parent like you. It's really an accomplishment for you both, so congrats!