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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Long. WWYD? Keep the family peace or stick by principles?

114 replies

sterrryerryoh · 23/02/2011 22:46

Will try to keep this brief.
Had a housewarming party - friends & family invited. My Uncle (Mum's Brother) asked if he could bring along some other family members - his wife's brother, SIL and their kids as they are staying with my uncle and auntie. I kind of know them through various social functions, big party, no probs, so said yes.

Party in full swing. Everyone happy. Two of my friends are gay men - they are great friends but not together. One (let's call him Paddy) is in his 60's and (in his own words) "an outrageous queen" - very camp, overtly gay, flamboyant, wonderful man. My other gay friend (let's call him Phil) is in his early 40's, drop dead gorgeous, not in the closet at all, but also not obviously gay iyswim. I would go so far as to say he's actually quite blokey, to the point that people are often surprised when they realise he's gay

So Paddy has left the room, Phil still there. My auntie's family start making really homophobic jokes about Paddy. won't repeat them here, but very obvious and distasteful. (I wasn't in the room at the time) - i came back in, to hear Phil say to them that he doesn't appreciate their humour, and can they please stop it. They all laugh, and carry on regardless. I am about to say something, when Phil says again that he's not comfortable with the humour and will take it personally if they don't stop it.

one of them then says "Why - you're not an arse-bandit are you?" to which Phil replies "If you're asking if I'm gay, not that it's any of your business, but yes"
(Paddy had entered at this point) - they all start really going for it with the homophobic comments. Long story short: Paddy gets really upset and leaves before it gets too much. Phil gets really angry and leaves before he hits one of them. I try desperately to get my friends to stay, but to no avail.

So, I then asked my auntie's relatives to leave. I was very calm, and matter of fact, but I told them that they were not welcome in my house, that their actions had caused two of my very good friends to feel uncomfortable to the point of leaving, and that, as they were not even invited, that i didn't want them there any more. It all kicked off a bit and they accused me of having no sense of humour!! Hmm and it got a bit verbally heated, so my Uncle stepped in and said that HE and my auntie and cousins would also have to leave, as they were all together, and I said "fine - go then"

They booked taxis and I asked them to wait outside (party was still going on). My uncle said "Us too?" and I replied "No, you can wait inside if you like, but I'm not having them in my house" He then said "They are my guests, and I'm staying with them" and I said "Fine, they're not mine. Go outside then", and they all waited outside for about 20 minutes.
My Uncle has now given my what I can only describe as an ultimatum - if I don't apologise to both his brother in law and their family, AND to him, my auntie and cousins, then I will no longer be a welcome guest at their house.
(Massive family, lots of functions, will have an impact on our family and social life)
I am sticking by my guns and will not apologise to my auntie's family who can stick it. But I don't know whether or not to meet my uncle halfway and concede that maybe I shouldn't have kicked my uncle/auntie/cousins out as well, as they had nothing to do with the scene.

I know it's a WWYD - but WWYD????

OP posts:
Eglu · 25/02/2011 17:27

Wow well done Sterry. Good for you sticking to your guns.

alicet · 25/02/2011 17:46

Been following this thread.

OP I applaud you for standing up for your friends and your principles. I think what you said to your uncle was absolutely on the money.

Fingers crossed your Uncle gets this and you can all move on but if he doesn't then I still think you did te right thing. Hope you're feeling OK now beacuse the whole thing must be pretty upsetting.

Rhinestone · 25/02/2011 17:56

Wow!

Flisspaps · 25/02/2011 18:02

Sterryerryoh Well done all round - well done for standing up to their behaviour in the first place, and well done for a magnificently handled meeting with your Uncle.

Have a Wine and some Bear

Grin
WhereYouLeftIt · 25/02/2011 18:19

Very well said, OP!

Might I suggest also if your uncle whines at you at all, point out that HIS guests at YOUR party were HIS responsibility, and if he hadn't wanted all this hassle HE should have shut down their comments without you having to be involved at all.

harpsichordcarrier · 25/02/2011 18:26

wow! Shock
GOOD FOR YOU

If you were a friend of mine I would be incredibly proud of you.
Standing up for what you see is right. Many many people in your situation would have not have been so brave, or would have been aggressive/overemotional
Ghandi said Even if you are in a minority of one, the truth is still the truth.
And who can argue with Ghandi Grin

MrsWembley · 25/02/2011 19:21

Bloody well done, you.

ongakgak · 25/02/2011 19:30

I want to give you a finger snap, you go girl thing, but I would look like a twat, so instead you are courageous, well done, you did yourself proud

Keep updating us please!

annielouisa · 25/02/2011 20:13

You are a real inspiration, well done for standing up for your principles. As a mixed step mother to 4 white step children the courage with which they have handled abuse towards me and themselves makes me proud. I am sure your gay friends will respect they way you have dealth with these dreadful homophobes and they weak willed cretins who won't tell them they are out of order!

MrsKwazii · 25/02/2011 23:08

Whoo hooo OP! That is fantastic - you're amazing Grin

SpringchickenGoldBrass · 26/02/2011 17:59

Yet another agreement that you did brilliantly Sterry. Here's to you Wine

weblette · 26/02/2011 18:13

So what we really need here is a champagne magnum emoti.

OP, what a brilliant stance. I really really hope that what you've said and done sinks in with your uncle. I'm not overly optimistic, but you never know.

Have several Wine on me. What an ace friend you are.

echt · 26/02/2011 19:56

Tip top, sterry.

sterrryerryoh · 26/02/2011 20:33

Oooh thanks everyone - just logged back on and so nice to see such support! Not heard back from them yet, but feel so liberated, I just don't care! :)
Thanks for the wine and pom bears - just off to indulge now.

Thanks for all the help

OP posts:
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