Mrs Mitchell
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2006
- Messages
- 2,071
My friend''s son has recently confided in me that he thinks he is gay. I need a little wisdom, because I don''t quite know how to support him.
Problem is, he''s terribly upset by it. I can''t quite get him to explain why, but it certainly isn''t because he fears parental disapproval, he knows that won''t be an issue. His parents actually know, or at least are pretty sure, but when they''ve tried to bring it up, he clams up. I can understand that- who wants to talk about sexuality with parents? Still, at least he is aware that he has their support.
He is 16, so although he is young, I think he''s old enough to know his own sexuality. It just seems like he doesn''t want to accept it, as if he''s ashamed of it. Maybe there is still some confusion there?
Does anyone know of an online resource or community out there for young gay people that is a reasonably safe environment? I''d like to put him in touch with other people in his situation and age group if possible, so he doesn''t feel quite so different. He lives in quite a small community and there isn''t much of a social scene there. He''s an avid reader, so any relevant book recommendations might be useful, too.
Any advice would be appreciated, especially from anyone who has been in his position. I don''t want to do or say anything crass or clumsy, but I don''t want to ignore the issue, since he has opened up to me a little about it.
Thanks!
Jen
Problem is, he''s terribly upset by it. I can''t quite get him to explain why, but it certainly isn''t because he fears parental disapproval, he knows that won''t be an issue. His parents actually know, or at least are pretty sure, but when they''ve tried to bring it up, he clams up. I can understand that- who wants to talk about sexuality with parents? Still, at least he is aware that he has their support.
He is 16, so although he is young, I think he''s old enough to know his own sexuality. It just seems like he doesn''t want to accept it, as if he''s ashamed of it. Maybe there is still some confusion there?
Does anyone know of an online resource or community out there for young gay people that is a reasonably safe environment? I''d like to put him in touch with other people in his situation and age group if possible, so he doesn''t feel quite so different. He lives in quite a small community and there isn''t much of a social scene there. He''s an avid reader, so any relevant book recommendations might be useful, too.
Any advice would be appreciated, especially from anyone who has been in his position. I don''t want to do or say anything crass or clumsy, but I don''t want to ignore the issue, since he has opened up to me a little about it.
Thanks!
Jen