Replies to '06/06 "I'm Gay, OK?"'

Quote From: kennamore

Not every family of a gay son or daughter is a crazy family...it happens to so called "good families" too!  I raised both of my sons conservative, catholic, boy scouts, soccer and all.  They were good students, good people, very involved in church functions and scouting.  Our youngest son, Daniel (now age 22) told us he is gay.  Yes, it "pushed" all of my buttons.  However, this is my son, my precious son and I will not deny him in anyway.  We have lost friends, changed relationships with our relatives and defended him with our whole hearts.  Am I still Catholic, YEP and will be to the day I die.  Every time I see a gay person depicted in the media it is a "lisp speaking efemanite" gay man that every one laughs at and makes fun of....but my son is intelligent, sports loving, good student, and a very loving person.  It is very hard to be a gay person, it is even more difficult to be a gay person in KANSAS (thanks to an idiot Fred Phelps); it is even more difficult to support your gay child without ridicule.  I have actaually had people tell me to send Daniel to a "religious cult program" so that the effects could be reversed!  Daniel does believe that he is accepted in any religion so now he has decided to "quit religion" before "religion quits him."  This is very difficult for me to accept.  It would be very easy for Dr. Phil to think he has the perfect family; perfect wife; perfects sons, etc.  just understand that this could have happened in your family, it could have happened in ANY ONES family.  Please don't mess up; please help the families get the word out that while these young people have different lifestyles they are just people with feelings who need support and love of their families.  I'm pleased you feel brave enough to tackle this subject so many in the media always go to the "extremes" as it makes for good television.....just don't mess this up!  Help us---help families to see that there is daylight after your son or daughter tells you they are gay.  My son and I are very close and I love and cherish the person he is and while it goes against, my faith and my belief system I will never stop loving and cherishing this very fine young man.  Thank you for allowing me to speak frankly.