Leave it to famed, syndicated advice columnist Dear Abby to have the perfect response to a man in need.
A man appealed to Abby this week over an altercation he had with his younger, gay brother, in which he accidentally referred to being gay as “disgusting.”
“I am a senior male,” the author, identified only as “Feels Like a Fool in Washington,” writes. “I understand I may have some beliefs that others find old-fashioned. However, I consciously try to be tolerant of others’ feelings and beliefs. That said, my problem is with my younger brother, who is a homosexual. I have always tried to ignore that side of his life and, consequently, we have always had a good relationship. He lives in another state, so we only talk on the telephone.”
“A couple of months ago,” he continues, “while we were talking, the subject of sexuality came up, and I told him I find the fact that he is gay “disgusting.” I know it was a poor choice of words. I merely meant to say that I, myself, am and always have been totally heterosexual. I have never had any sexual interest in members of my own sex. I never meant my comment to be judgmental of my brother or anyone else.”
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“I left several messages apologizing for anything I said that he found objectionable,” he adds. “Now, when I try to contact him, he doesn’t answer my phone calls.”
Abby, a woman known for her empathetic responses, doesn’t hold back: the guy screwed up, big time.
“I have never understood why so many straight people spend so much time obsessing about what gay people might be doing behind closed doors,” Abby writes. “THAT, to me, is disgusting.”
“I’ll be frank,” she warns him. “After what you said to your brother, he would have to be a saint to forgive you. He is doing what emotionally healthy people do, erasing a negative influence from his life. You can continue trying to apologize by penning a heartfelt letter of apology and remorse, promising to never use those words again, and sending it to your brother. But if he continues to be unreceptive, you will have to live with it.”
Dear Abby has long championed LGBTQ rights and acceptance among the general public, offering advice to parents, neighbors and friends of queer people. Her advice to Feels Like a Fool in Washington is indicative of her usual “queer folk don’t need to put up with your BS” brand of counsel. Here’s hoping the two brothers find a way to reconcile.
Mr. Stadnick
so much intolerance
Cam
Trust me, I’m sure that the gay brother finds what the straight brother and his wife do in bed gross, he just has better manners.
rdoberts99
Go visit your brother in person. Give him a hug and a true apology including you miss him in your life.
Fahd
This guy wants his brother to accept his homophobia, because he’s old, straight, and really didn’t mean it, etc…. sorry, no. I suggest the older brother read some books or otherwise work on enlightening himself. He needs to work on genuinely respecting and accepting his younger brother for who he is. I’m not holding my breath that the older brother can change, but he should try.
biographymania
I like your article very much. I hope you keep posting such an article forever. I am also a blogger and I put a biography regarding posts in it. I hope you like my site.
Biography Mania
BOB K
UNFORTUNATELY DEAR ABBY’S DAUGHTER IS NOT HALF OF HER MOTHER
“I left several messages apologizing for anything I said that he found objectionable,”
IS NOT AN APOLOGY
IT’S STICKING TO YOUR GUNS THAT YOU MEANT IT BUT YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE SAID IT
cctv
But Scott Rudin threw glass at peoples head. That’s the real threat to gay people
Cozmo2
So, get over it stop being so sensitive