My daughter is gay

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 18, ) – Two years after their child “comes out” as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), many parents still say that it is moderately or very hard for them to adjust to the news, according to a study published today. Many of the straight parents I interviewed for When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know expressed having felt disappointment in learning that their child was LGBT.

Many parents struggle for years to adjust after learning child is gay, according to a new study from George Washington University public health researchers. But if your child comes out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, it might come as a shock—many parents feel unprepared, upset, or even a little confused. By learning a little bit more about the LGBT+ community and what your child might be going through, you can accept your child’s sexuality and keep loving them unconditionally.

Below are 10 things to keep in mind as you navigate this coming-out journey with your kid! 1. Don't: Ignore It. So, your kid told you they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or a.

what not to say when your child comes out

You likely cycled through an entire catalog of extreme emotions: shock, disbelief, anger, guilt. Then came the questions for you and your spouse: Why did this happen? Where did we fail? The truth is that your child needs unconditional love and acceptance more than ever. Withholding love will only make a difficult situation worse. Remember that acceptance is not the same thing as approval.

Acceptance means acknowledging what is true. It does not mean you must compromise your convictions about what constitutes right and wrong, nor does it mean you condone homosexual behavior and practices.

Chances are your son or daughter wrestled long and hard with the decision to confess their homosexuality to you. They braced for judgment and rejection. You should feel comfortable stating your concerns about the morality, health risks and potential dangers involved with the gay lifestyle. The important message remains: I love you and accept you — that will never change. Their homosexuality is not something they conjured up to purposely embarrass or punish you.

As a loving parent — and a Christian — you must be mature and courageous. Now is the time to show your child the same grace and unconditional love that Jesus shows to all of us who struggle with sin in our lives. Pray for wisdom, understanding and the right words to say in this difficult and delicate situation. Withholding love from your hurting child will only make a difficult situation worse. She is formerly Online Editor of Focus Over You can move forward after a rift with your adult children by learning new ways to build trust and respect between you and your child.

Themes Covered:. In This Series: 1. Parenting Adult Children 2. Empty Nest Syndrome 3. When Adult Children Reject the Faith 6. Communicating End-of-Life Wishes 7. All rights reserved. Customize your library of parenting resources: Select. Building Block. Parenting Trait. About the Author. More by Roberta Rand Caponey. Read More About:. Adult Children Grace-based Parenting Parenting.