How to behave if your teenage son confesses that he has an unconventional orientation

Your sixteen-year-old child comes to you for help in absolutely all matters, starting with a foreign language at school and ending with a friendly relationship. You can talk for hours about politics, sports and the latest television series. It seems to you that there is nothing you could not talk to him about. And this is really so, until the moment comes when your child confesses to you that he is gay. Parents' reaction to such recognition can be different: someone can absolutely calmly take it, and someone can panic, get angry, become depressed, and so on. That's what you need to do if that day comes in your family.

Enlighten

Read books, browse the Internet, talk to school counselors. Just like you would do with any of your children, talk to your son or daughter about openly safe sex, in particular about HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. You and your child are not alone, there is always help. You can always visit relevant sites on the Internet to get more information.

Stay open

This is a critical time for your child. Although this news can be difficult for your perception, this is a very emotional moment for him. Try not to show excessive desire to help. Let your child understand that you are always there, but do not take the lead in solving all his problems.

Be carefull

Do not tell others about this. Take care of his personal life and the right to privacy. The decision as to who to tell and when to do it, completely belongs to your child, not you. Be vigilant about his emotional, mental and physical health, and pay attention to signs of depression or physical abuse. If necessary, seek professional help.

be patient

Although you will definitely be an understanding parent who is always ready to support your child, your feelings may differ from this. Many parents feel as if they did something wrong, but in most cases this emotional state quickly passes.

Be a lawyer of non-traditional relations

When you're ready, talk about it loudly. Join a local organization of parents of children of non-traditional orientation, take part in gay prides (actions that are a demonstration of existence in the LGBT community). Start to speak out against homophobia. Write letters to local, city and even state institutions, demanding the observance of civil rights for everyone. If you join a gay community and actively participate in its activities, you support your child the way he is, and also show him how much he means to you.