We all have parents who are overprotective and who think that they always know what is best for us. Sometimes, what they believe is best for us, isn't actually what's best. For example, when some parents find out that their kid is gay they automatically think that it is the worst thing in the world and that it is their job to "fix it." There is nothing to fix here. I'm not broken. We are not broken. We just happen to be attracted to people as the same sex as us and that's it. It's not a big deal, but parents tend to make it one. We're still the same as we've always been and we're really no different from you. I'm not sure if you're aware of it but sometimes you guys say really hurtful and demeaning things to us and it has to stop. So parents, here are 7 things you need to stop telling your gay kids and what your kids think every time you say these things. Kids, I'm sure we can all agree with this.
1. "It's just a phase."
"Mom and Dad, it's not just a phase. This is something about me that is never going to change. I'm happy with myself and I hope you eventually are happy with me too."
2. "You should pray about it."
"You simply cannot pray the gay away. Even if you could, I certainly would never ever want to do that. I love my gay. I would never ask you to pray your straight away."
3. "How's your friend?"
"My friend? Really, guys? I've told you all a thousand times that Blaine is my boyfriend! I would really appreciate it if you guys respected that and would stop referring to him as my friend. When I brought that girl around last time you guys loved to call her my girlfriend and she actually was just a friend."
4. "You just haven't found the right guy yet. One day you'll have a good husband."
"Sigh... I promise that will never happen. I am a girl who likes girls. I will have a very beautiful wife one day though and we will have the most beautiful family ever. It may be your first lesbian wedding."
5. "Our insurance covers counseling. You can go for depression, anxiety, for being gaaaayy..."
"Really? Are you serious right now? You want me to go where?? I don't need therapy or counseling because I'm gay. They're not going to talk me out of it or anything. This is who I am. It was not a choice and I can't change it. I'm not confused. I don't need someone to tell me that they think something is wrong with me."
6. "Stop dressing like a boy."
"I'm not dressing like a boy. I'm dressing like myself. I know I am a girl but I am not a girly girl. I don't like dresses or skirts or high heels, they make me very uncomfortable. I prefer jeans and a t-shirt and that doesn't mean I'm dressing like a boy. Just because I like girls and wear certain things doesn't mean I want to be a boy."
7. "You're going to hell."
"Wow. I'm not, but thank you for loving and supporting me with such sweet words...not. I don't believe in the same things you do and that's okay. We're bound to see things differently but that doesn't mean you get to say things like that to me. Even if I did believe in the same things as you and believed that being gay is a sin, you sin every single day so I guess I'll see you there."
Parents, we love you. We really do. But maybe you should try seeing things from our perspective or maybe try being a little more open minded about things. Being gay is not a disease and it is not something you can fix or something that you can pray away. It's a small part of who we are and we love it. We hope one day you can accept us and continue loving us, that's all really want. We love and accept you.
