We’ve seen a few parents with pitch-perfect reactions to their progeny coming out, and we’re adding another dad’s response to the pantheon.
“Young teenage son came out to Mum and [me] the other day,” this father wrote on Reddit recently. “Hugged him straight away, and we told him we love him. I told him the only thing that’s changed is instead of mum and dad being extremely cringey and annoying when he brings home his first girlfriend, we will be extremely cringey and annoying when he brings home his first boyfriend.”
Yes, this dad is reserving the right to embarrass his son in front of his son’s future partner. “That is unavoidable,” he writes. “I will bring up embarrassing childhood stories.”
Related: Father wonders if he’s under-reacting to his son’s coming out
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The dad added that he was very happy to hear that his son had already clued some school friends into his sexuality.
“He’s a brilliant kid who is a bigger smart arse than me,” he wrote. “We’ve had a fairly good idea for a few years, so we are over the moon he has now told us and can truly feel comfortable at home.”
The dad also told fellow Redditors that he imagines his son was trepidatious about that reveal, perhaps because of the dad’s politics. “I’m fairly rough around the edges and lean right on most things,” he explained.
But he also said that he “very empathetically feel[s]” for anyone who has been abandoned by their family over sexuality, politics, religion, or other identities. “I do not understand how any parent could so callously throw their kids away,” he wrote.
Related: Gay guys list the most inappropriate post-coming out comments they’ve heard
And when one commenter commended the dad and said that too many parents try to “fix” their LGBTQ+ kids, the dad responded, “The only thing I’ve tried to fix is turn him to be a PC gamer rather than PlayStation.”
cuteguy
What a great dad. The son is very lucky and hopefully is grateful
TheRedLine
I never get tired of hearing about these small stories of these wonderful fathers accepting and loving their gay sons. I am the second oldest of his three sons and a daughter. When I came out back in the late 80’s my father asked me if it was because he did something wrong. I knew right away he was not going to accept it well. He never progressed beyond thinking past the 50’s and 60’s really. Since the day I came out he never missed an opportunity to tell me that I was going to hell whenever he was on the subject of religion. I was never his favorite but I was the one who was always there for him, for birthdays, during holidays, to take care of him when sick, to make the arrangements after his death (by myself), because the oldest son, his favorite, and the younger brother and sister never had the time of day for him or even cared. I do understand why though.
When it came to my father I always felt less than my older brother. After he passed away in 2019 I went through a period of grief where I felt hurt, then angry, then sad that it could have been a better relationship. Strangely thereafter, I let it go and knew that I did well and actually felt a sense of relief.
So, hats off to those wonderful fathers who love their gay sons. I applaud you and may you have many cherished memories throughout your lives.
Jim
“Dad is reserving the right to embarrass his son in front of his son’s future partner.”
That’s what Dad’s do. What a lucky young man.
rangerwilcox
stories of dads being true fathers… love!
Mister P
My heroes are people who do the right thing, even in ordinary circumstances. Loving and supporting one’s family is certainly doing the right thing.
MrMichaelJ
I really, really wish these parents who already know would let their kids know it’s OK ASAP and not wait for their kid to come to them.
Kangol2
Lucky kid, great dad! If only all parents would follow his example!
charette8596
I agree 100%.
Paulie P
You have to love the Brits. So accepting.
Kangol2
Some, not all!
Bosch
I’m offended by the casual sonyphobia.