How to Identify Homosexual Tendencies in Family Members

In a society where discrimination against homosexual people often takes place, some people are on the lookout for homosexual tendencies in their family members. But what if you intend to leave judgments at the door and just want to get an idea (without asking outright) of whether a relative might be homosexual so that you can be supportive?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Look at your relative's relationships. Some people with homosexual tendencies tend to have many friendships with members of the opposite sex but never date.
2. Look at the people who your relative is closest to. Are any of these friends gays or lesbians? In some cases, this may be an indication of homosexual tendencies.
   
3. Does your family member tend to get quiet or awkward when someone expresses a judgment about someone who is homosexual? Though it may just be a sign of support for gay equality, it could also be a sign of feeling uncomfortable and personally judged.
4. Get to know your relative better. The more that you are able to have honest, open conversations with others, the more you will learn about them. If your relative opens up to you, you may find out first-hand and without any guesswork about his or her sexual preferences.

Tips & Warnings

• If you think that someone in your family may have homosexual tendencies, create a safe atmosphere in which he or she does not feel judged.
• If you suspect that any members of your family have homosexual tendencies, learn to accept them for who they are. Look into PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and find a local chapter where you can meet with others who have homosexual family members and friends.
• If you do identify what you think are homosexual tendencies in a family member, recognize that you cannot force someone to "come out." People will reveal this information when they are ready.
• Don't make assumptions based on stereotypes.