(Untitled)

[unturning_world]

My parents are coming for my birthday. They don't know I'm gay. Do I tell them, or not? I can't imagine they'll be thrilled. They keep asking if I've met any nice girls. I say "yes, lots of nice girls" which is true. I'm just not interested in dating any of them!

I'll be 19 tomorrow. Very strange.

Comments

[just_indulge_me]

It seems silly to me to keep a secret when it has all gone very well so far. I think your parents love you and will be okay. But it's up to you.

[unturning_world]

My parents are more...straight-laced than all of you wonderful people are, as you know. I know they love me. I just don't think they'll be pleased. I hate keeping it from them, though. I mean...chances are they'll find out eventually when I don't have those grandchildren they so desperately want.

[just_indulge_me]

Well someone needs to unstraighten their laces! You could always tell them something even more unstraight about me so it would no seem as bad. Tell them I commune with walruses!

[unturning_world]

Hello, mother and father. You sent me away to London where I have discovered I am gay and I am living with Jean who communes with walruses.

That will go over swimmingly!

[seminalsemiotic]

I think you should do whatever feels right, darling. If it's important to you, and you feel it keeps an honest channel of communication, then you should tell them. If it's not something that you feel matters, not something that you feel is important to your relationship or is any of their business, then there's no reason to.

I would hope that your parents would be understanding, but I know that sometimes our parents aren't as wise and wonderful as we might wish. I'll stand by you, whatever you decide. I'll always be here for you. I love you, Emilio.

[unturning_world]

I would like to think that it should be their business, simply because I want them to know me. I don't want them to decide I'm wrong in the head or something. Which I am not, but I've heard dad talking to my mother about it and it's not generally complimentary.

Thank you, Renee. I love you too.

[seminalsemiotic]

You're not wrong at all, not in any way. I don't suppose they know about me or Kait... maybe if they were to find out, it would go a way to preparing them, if they were willing to adjust their attitudes. Does your mother agree with your father's perspective?

[unturning_world]

I think she's more lenient, but I couldn't be sure.

[eligible_boy]

Hmm... if it were me, I think I would want to control the situation, and that would mean telling them rather than be worried that they would find out by accident. I know it's not likely with them living back in France, but you never know.

Telling my parents Del was pregnant was one of the hardest and scariest things I've had to do, but once it was done I realised the worry was for nothing. They've been so incredible and supportive. I would like to think that it would be the same for you, that as much as you worry, your parents would accept it with all the love and understanding that their awesome man of a son deserves.

[unturning_world]

They'll find out somehow. They already ask a lot of questions...

Thank you, Pierre. You've got a good point. I hope my parents will be as supportive as yours were and continue to be.

[eligible_boy]

It sounds like it may be best to tell them, then. We'll be here for you, however it goes, and I am sure anyone who you would want with you, if anyone, will be.

[bumpmygrind]

You should probably be up front with them.

Although I was disowned by my own parents at sixteen, so maybe I'm not the one to take advice from.

[unturning_world]

Oh...goodness...

[bumpmygrind]

Don't worry. I'll bet money there won't be any disowning in your case.