What is the best way to deal with your son’s homosexuality?
Alphonse and I always knew that our son was gay. When he was young he liked bathing with his brother, he likes to entertain people reproducing his favorite Broadway shows (Hello Dolly, Mame, and Bye Bye Birdie), he also enjoys singing the libretto from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. He always tells his grandparents that his dream is to do a command performance for the Queen of England of the HMS Pinafore at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
We were planning on giving him a coming out party at the Venetian here in Las Vegas because it is his favorite venue. He’s quite precocious for a ten year old because he wants to bring his boyfriend and also lead the singing. Are we wrong to encourage him?
April 2nd, 2011 at 6:59 am
great job stringing everyone along with your ridiculous “question.”
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:05 am
No, he is your son and you should love and support him no matter what. Go you for being such a understanding parent.
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:21 am
You want to give him a coming out party? I’ve never heard of such thing. First of all, it’s not up to you to let others know of your son’s sexual orientation. That is for him to do. If he wants to perform, that’s fine, but what you want to do is quite odd. And I don’t know of any parent, of a gay or straight child, that would let them have a boyfriend or girlfriend at the age of 10. Your job as a parent is to educate your son of the risks of having unprotected sex, etc. just like any other parent, not to give him a coming out party. And who am I to say this? My son is gay too, though he’s 18, and I would never dream of doing something like what you’re thinking of. And if this question is fake, like it probably is, stick with asking questions that are real.
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:22 am
I don’t think you can do anything but what you are doing. You accept his homosexuality and love him for it. He is no different regardless of what society may throw at him/you. Cheers to you.
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:34 am
You had me going until you said he was 10.
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:34 am
OMG! He’s only 10! Crazy
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 am
A coming out party? For a 10 year old? Hey, if you’ve got money to blow, then do whatever you like. The real question is what does your son plan to wear?
I’m interested in how this plays out. My husband swears our dog is gay, but I think it’s just coincidence that he likes Broadway musicals, Dancing With The Stars and his little leather doggy outfit. Maybe I’ll give Ralphie a coming out party too.
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:35 am
Ya las vegas and a 10 year old?if u didnt mention tht ppl wud believe u
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:25 am
Wow! Gay, ten years old…. and has a boyfriend. Coming out party?… but I thought it’s obvious to everyone that he is gay. I guess you just have too much money….
I have a cousin, who is exactly like your son (didn’t have a boyfriend that young, though)… so I know what you are talking about. You seem to accept that he is the way he is… and that’s wonderful… whatever else you feel like doing for your son- go for it… you know him best. He is very lucky to have parents like you two.
April 2nd, 2011 at 9:35 am
It’ never wrong to encourage your son to achieve his dreams. My friend Joel loves to watch musicals and sing. However… he’s not gay. I would definately put your son into an acting class or drama class to learn more about acting and entertainment. However… about throwing him a “coming out” party… why not just have a small little gathering of friends and do Karaoke? Is this party just for him saying that he’s gay? Or is this a birthday party? Also… how do you know that your son is gay? Also… a gay boyfriend at 10 years old? I would try and get your son intrests in other things besides having a boyfriend.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:27 am
He is too young to really know his sexuality. His hormones haven’t even kicked in yet as he has not reached puberty. I would not announce anything yet. He is so young he is still trying to find himself. If you have a coming out party at age ten, when he really finds himself later, when he reaches puberty and matures, he may find himself trapped as gay when he was really going through a process of growing up. Who at age ten really knows who he is?! All of the things you mentioned he enjoys have nothing to do with homosexuality. You may be encouraging him to make a fool of himself. I am not a lesbian, but have a gay brother and friends so am very comfortable with the gay lifestyle. He is a child. Let him grow up first, before labeling him with a sexual lifestyle choice.
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:41 am
I’ll attempt to think this is Not a joke ?- nothing wrong with your son being gay, no need to encourage or discourage it, but 10 yr olds of either sex should not be encouraged ot bring ‘dates’ to events.
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:18 am
I’m actually having a little trouble believing your son is actually gay, and instead am offended for all gay people AND all straight people who like theater that you put this question up, further perpetuating the stereotype and making yourself look like a bigot with a sense of humor to mask it.
April 2nd, 2011 at 12:12 pm
I think it is great that you are supportive, but at 10 a ‘coming out’ party might be a bit pre-mature. I think maybe he needs more time to come into himself and to be sure that this is who he REALLY is.
April 2nd, 2011 at 12:51 pm
A 10 year old is still changing, and he hasn’t gone through puberty yet! You need to wait until he’s 16 or 17 when his hormones and mind are finished changing, and then talk about it. And a “coming out party”–no.
April 2nd, 2011 at 1:47 pm
he might be precocious, but you should not have a huge party to announce to the world that you think your son is gay. ten-year-olds should not be in a Vegas style setting. you need to let him be himself.
April 2nd, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Encouraging your son to be himself is not wrong… Making the fact that he is gay seem like thats all he is… Is. I mean remember, he is only ten… I think thats what I read. Most ten year olds don’t even know what it really is to be gay. I say wait until he is 16 or so to give him his party… I do however think it’s awesome of you to still love him like nothing else. Its a relief to see that these days. So many people are homo-phobic and treat it as a contagious disease. Kudos to you and your family. I wish you, your husband and son the best of luck. Make sure he knows being gay isn’t just about broadway musicals and Libretto… He will also face hatred, confrontation and evil christians who aren’t supposed to judge since they are “christians” telling him he is going to hell. I think all parents of gay children should prepare them for it. So they don’t feel like they are bad people… Because they aren’t. It’s pretty much Bull Shit that straight people can get married as many times as they want and divorce over and over, yet when a gay person wants to marry it’s all of a sudden hurting the sanctity of marriage. Hmm… Just whatever you do, prepare him… Let him know that you will be there for him no matter what.
April 2nd, 2011 at 2:44 pm
what you’re doing for your child makes you one pair of very smart parents. some parents don’t even want to fathom that their child is gay, and you are very much aware of his sexuality, ‘n evidently his boyfriend. i’m 21, use to be the all-around child, all-around gymnast ’till 19, concert pianist and violinist, ‘n to this day they still loathe me. but enough about me, wish i had you guys as my parents. then i wouldnt be so depressed everyday.