Within two months’ time, a teen went from closeted and single to out and dating, and he has his meddlesome father to thank!
As this 16-year-old recently recounted on Reddit, he came out to his dad more than a month prior, and his dad reacted better than his mom had. (In fact, the dad kicked the mom out of the house since she was pushing for conversion therapy.)
But the dad’s supportiveness verged on overbearing, as the teen told other Redditors. “He still is trying way too hard to be supportive—like, support dial on 1000%,” the teen wrote. “Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for his support and know his heart is in the right place, but everything always seems to circle back to my gayness. I don’t want that to be my number one personality trait or be the focus of everything all the time.”
Related: Dad reacts like a pro after walking in on closeted son in a comprising position
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In fact, the dad is so supportive, he even urged his son to go on a date with a coworker’s son. And our hero was feeling ambivalent about that prospect at the time of his original Reddit post. “Him trying to set me up like this is kind of cringe, but also, I don’t know, it might be nice to actually go on a date with a guy,” he wrote. “I mean, I’m 16, and the only date I’ve been on was a failed double [date] with a girl, which obviously I wasn’t into. So I guess the question is, should I give it a shot or just keep telling my dad no?”
Commenters on the post were Team Dad on this one. Example reactions:
“Give it a chance. Either you like him or you don’t. Your dad is being amazing, and I wish more dads were like this.”
“I wish my dad and I had a relationship like this.”
“This is cringe and adorable. Props to dad! Go on the date.”
Related: Father of the year dedicates first tattoo to his gay children
In his first edit to his original Reddit poster, the teen said he was going to “give it a go” with his dad’s coworker’s son, adding, “He’s cute from the pic I’ve seen.”
Soon came another edit, in which the teen revealed that he and this prospective match had been texting for two hours. “He has also called me cutie twice, so I think it’s going well?” he added. “Going to go bowling tomorrow evening.”
Then, in the comments section, the teen offered the most heartening update yet. “It was awesome!” he wrote, with all-caps, exclamation-pointed enthusiasm. “He was even more handsome in person! Beyond looks, though, he was really sweet. Like, he got me flowers, which feels weird but also nice, and we had a total vibe! Kept laughing and joking around and even flirting. Well, he was flirting. I was trying and failing to flirt. That’s OK, though—he seemed to like it, ‘cause he kissed me! More than once, I might add! Plus, he told me he had a good time and texted me to say it again and ask if I want to do something again!”
Somewhere out there, a certain father is beaming with self-satisfaction.
THAT Steve
I’m always skeptical of these Reddit reports. This one I don’t care if it’s real. I teared up reading it so if it’s made up, it’s a made up thing that touched my heart.
Sageone
I agree.
white-queer-african
Real or Not. I don’t care. Now if only my dad did this when I came out. A very long time ago but I am delighted that it is mostly becoming easier for young gay people to fall out of the closet. Or am I being delusional?
Sageone
When I came out to my dad in 1968 (!), he was supportive, but he said he hoped I wouldn’t be one of the queers that stood on the street corner looking for sex. Different times… very different.
Diplomat
Wow. Beautiful.
Man About Town
I’m surprised teenagers today even know what bowling is! Anyway, mazel tov to this wonderful dad. I’d love to have been a fly on the wall when he threw his wife out of the house.
Kevin62387
Teenagers today don’t know what a rotary landline kitchen wall phone or a TV antenna are. Wish this kid all the best.
sexyjosie24
Wished my dad was still living for I would have wanted to come out to my dad and tell him I like guys and not girls. Must be nice to have a supportive dad like his dad and even set him up on a date with a co-worker’s son.
bachy
Brings to mind the lovely, early Russell Crowe film entitled, “The Sum of Us” in which a widowed father has to deal with two complex issues: while he is searching for “Miss Right,” his son, who is in his 20s and gay, is searching for “Mr. Right.” The film was brilliantly open-hearted and had a profound effect on me.
boblrice
bachy I love that movie. The father is so sweet, the relationship between them is so loving, and it’s one of the funniest films about tragedy out there. The ending gets me every time.
baggins435
Baxter!!
The real Bruce
Oh yeah, bachy. I love that movie too. Great story, wonderful actors in addition to Russell Crowe. One to watch and share.
nm4047
sounds like a made up agony aunt page. Clearly an attempt by someone to create a conversation starter for their online page.
JeffBaker
Wonderful! I came out after I had a fiancé (who I married and my folks were there!) and they were very supportive but I am SO glad they didn’t try to fix me up with anybody!
Karlis
We went bowling. How adorbs is that?
sportstar2600
A bit too perfect for my BS detector (Mom getting kicked out?). But, some parents are incredibly supportive and do set their gay sons up on dates. Sometimes it is a one and done Possibly a painful first date. Sometimes it turns into an onlyfans collaboration. Sometimes a great friendship. Who knows… but good for them for trying and hopefully learning.
RyanMBecker
Okay, I’m almost a decade away from 16 so I can no longer speak from experience but… this sounds like typical Reddit fiction. While acknowledging that speech varies among regions, parts of this definitely did not sound like the speech of anyone under his 30s. And beyond. If I had to guess, I’d say that the writer is in his/her 50s-60s trying hard to sound young, but unfortunately, the verbiage is taken from the writer’s youth, not today’s youth. Examples include “we had a total vibe!” That wasn’t normal even when I was 16. And bowling, especially for a first date? Er, no. In the 50s to early 80s, maybe. But not today. It’s actually a bit sad that someone’s life may be so empty that they have to invent these scenarios, trying to relive their youth.