Thanks for posting this. This was a conversation that I could never have, that's for sure.
Although I'm all in favor of this, I think it would have much more impact if someone would post the same conversation with opposite results, as hard as that is to do. Maybe then people would see what rejection and alienation does to someone. We all know people who are in that situation, and too many times it's the parents who won't listen, understand or accept.
I'm happy for anyone who is able to be out to their family, but too many times those people don't seem to understand the other side of reality, and how parents are either the great "able-ers or disablers" in life.
I remember how half the guys I met used to tell me how wrong it was to stay in the closet. That's because they never had to be there, and they had no idea how hard it is to come out. Someone else did all the hard work for them by always knowing, and always accepting them right from the very beginning. Not all of us have that.
There really is a "have and have not" in the gay world. Those that have acceptance from the people who mean the most, and those who have not.
I finally caught the video on Maddow's show last night. I'm very happy for this child that his father loves him, and is proud of him. I wish I could say the same of mine. While I'm grateful that DADT is dead, I'll be even more grateful if this child and every other son and daughter can come home - alive, whole, and loved.
I was really surprised to see how fearful the son was to tell his father, mainly because the father was so accepting. They obviously loved and respected each other. Unfortunately I suppose, coming out seems easier if you just don't care about the response.
just watched it on the news...great dad! wish mine was...
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. This was a conversation that I could never have, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm all in favor of this, I think it would have much more impact if someone would post the same conversation with opposite results, as hard as that is to do. Maybe then people would see what rejection and alienation does to someone. We all know people who are in that situation, and too many times it's the parents who won't listen, understand or accept.
I'm happy for anyone who is able to be out to their family, but too many times those people don't seem to understand the other side of reality, and how parents are either the great "able-ers or disablers" in life.
I remember how half the guys I met used to tell me how wrong it was to stay in the closet. That's because they never had to be there, and they had no idea how hard it is to come out. Someone else did all the hard work for them by always knowing, and always accepting them right from the very beginning. Not all of us have that.
There really is a "have and have not" in the gay world. Those that have acceptance from the people who mean the most, and those who have not.
Great that his Dad did not care
ReplyDeleteGood for him. Saw this on YouTube and noticed some of the nasty, ugly, hateful comments posted there too.
ReplyDeleteI finally caught the video on Maddow's show last night. I'm very happy for this child that his father loves him, and is proud of him. I wish I could say the same of mine. While I'm grateful that DADT is dead, I'll be even more grateful if this child and every other son and daughter can come home - alive, whole, and loved.
ReplyDeleteHe a cute guy and it sounds like he has a great family!
ReplyDeleteVery touching for me.
ReplyDeleteRay
Saw this the other day, good for him.
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised to see how fearful the son was to tell his father, mainly because the father was so accepting. They obviously loved and respected each other. Unfortunately I suppose, coming out seems easier if you just don't care about the response.
ReplyDelete