My 15 year old D is lesbian

[Croeso78]

Hi, I discovered a week ago that my daughter identifies as a lesbian, I dont want to offend anyone so some terminology I might not get right so please forgive me, there is a lot to learn and a lot to get my head around. She does not know that I know about it.
I need to accept this, as I know it is what she needs, but I am struggling, if you have experienced a similar situation please share, I need some advice.

[DogDayMorning]

What are you struggling with exactly?

[showmeshoyu]

I don't think people really identify with a sexual orientation... She is lesbian. What do you need to do? Be there for her and not judge. Do you need to do anything differently? Hopefully not. Do you need to treat her differently? No. From your point of view, has anything actually changed? Hopefully not if you were a supportive parent in the first place, which I'm sure you are.

[SylvanianFrenemies]

I think you need to avoid overthinking this. She's the same person she was a week ago, treat her as such. You don't need to tell her you know, but take chances to tell her you love her and show acceptance of gay people do she can feel.comfortable talking when ready.

[giftsonthebrain]

She’s 15, maybe she’s just experimenting with her sexuality and identity.

[AnyFucker]

You don't need to do a thing differently

My son came out as gay at 15 and that was that

[museumum]

I think you need to unpick your worries and be reassured that although there’s still homophobia gay rights have come a long way and she will not need to keep her feelings secret, she can’t be discriminated against legally, she can get married if she wishes and also one day have children if she chooses.

[potatoscone]

What are you struggling with?

So you found out she is a lesbian, how did you find out?

[Helmetbymidnight]

Everything will be fine- take some time to get your head around it.

My dc is in and out the closet

Over the next few weeks, you could mention high profile lesbians who you like ‘ ah isn’t that..Sue Perkins fab’ ‘Sandi tokscig is so clever- I do like her’ etc etc, to show that you would never go off someone because of their sexuality.

[TheNavigator]

I friend's daughter is a lesbian. I've known her since she was a baby. It is wonderful, she is wonderful, an amazing, intelligent, aware, young woman. There really is nothing to fear here, it is great that she has found out who she is and can live her life in a way that is right for her.

[azulmariposa]

So?

[Nodrama999]

Having been in this experience, I would just make sure she has “safe” avenues to explore. Get the internet security set up so it’s childproof, so if she does want to do some online research, chat groups etc, she will be in a safer place

[Auntiepatricia]

She’s gay. It’s completely normal to be gay. She’s not identifying as anything.

Same rules apply. Fingers crossed she meets good and kind partners who treat her well.

[WhatHaveIFound]

I don't think you need to do or say anything to her at the moment because she hasn't told you direct has she? You just need to be there for your daughter if/when she feels ready to talk.

Personally i don't treat my DD any different to if she was going out with boys.

[pointythings]

My almost 16 yo DD is a lesbian too. She has been in a relationship with her gf for 6 months now. They are both lovely. Tell us what it is you are struggling with and we will try to help.

[KittensAndCake]

My dd's friend is a lesbian but she's too scared to tell her mum ☹️
Just be there for her, she's still the same kid

[LooksBetterWithAFilter]

what is it you’re struggling with? My dc came out to me in the summer ans she was very tearful and worried about it but I’d always made it perfectly clear I wasn’t bothered about things like this I never had to sit my parents down and announce I was heterosexual so if any of my dc are gay I don’t expect them to feel they have to sit down and make a big announcement. This came up because of a conversation about a step family member on their fathers side and the comments their dad made.

My dd is still the same person she was before she told me. She is still funny, smart and obnoxious in exactly the same way she was before. Her coming out changes nothing.

[LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD]

No one ‘identifies as’, they are or believe they are.

What are you worried about?

[Croeso78]

I just felt so isolated, and it just helps talking to others. I booked an appointment with a counsellor, as I found out through videos on our family cloud, her face on the frozen image looked like she is crying so I checked it, and realised she is suffering and scared. I appreciate all your comments.
I do not want to change anything, I just want to know how to approach this.
I probably need to clarify that we come from the Middle East, so think of how this was looked at 100 years ago here! thats the situation there, so she will live two different versions of coming out when it is the time for it!

[Mentounasc]

In the short term you need to work out for yourself exactly why you're struggling - where does that feeling come from? Do you come from a community or family that is generally not accepting of other sexualities? Is it some sort of deep-down disappointment that your daughter's life might turn out differently to what you had hoped for?

In the medium term, it would be helpful for your relationship with her if she knows that you are generally in favour of gay rights and won't tolerate homophobia - eg if something about gay rights comes on the news, comment on how wonderful you think it is, or how dreadful a homophobic attack is. Obviously you need to try not to be too obvious in all this. The ideal thing would be a programme on TV about a someone coming out, allowing you to comment that you'd be proud to support any gay child of yours, etc.

If you manage that well, you'll have created a background of trust which will enable your DD to talk to you honestly, and that surely is the most important thing. Best of luck!

[LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD]

Where are you both now? What about the wider family - here or there?

[AnyFucker]

Could you explain again how you found out. I don't get it.

[buckingfrolicks]

Good for her. And your issue is what exactly??

[Mentounasc]

Ahhhhhh, family in the Middle East! Is homosexuality actually illegal in your home country? Or just frowned upon? She's going to need so much more emotional support from you in this case, at the point when she's ready to tell you.

[potatoscone]

Who is the counselling appointment for?

[buckingfrolicks]

Ok Middle East that makes sense now. Tell her you love and support her (you do and you will, yes?) and that while some parts of her life may be more difficult (dealing with homophobia) other parts will be easier