How to Find Support as the Mother of a Gay Son or Daughter

It's important to get support for yourself so that you can be fully supportive and loving to your gay child. It's especially important if this news came as a shock to you.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Therapists

1. Share with your child that this is difficult for you to understand.

2. Ask your child questions if you're prepared to hear the answers.

3. Read helpful books and articles.

4. Share with a supportive friend, especially if you have one in the same situation.

5. Ask your child if one of his or her friends' parents belong to a support group.

6. Join an organization that's a support group to parents, such as PFLAG.org.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to talk to a professional counselor if you're having difficulty accepting this news about your child. Remember that this is a difficult situation for your child as well.

• Keep in mind that most studies show that gays are born gay, and that it is not a chosen lifestyle.

• Be prepared to have a thick skin when people make unkind comments about gays.

• The high incidence of suicide in young people is often linked to their confusion or the unacceptance of their sexuality.