To feel a bit sad that I told DS to change clothes.

[ReanimatedSGB]

We've been to the Pride parade; when we were nearly home DS said he wanted to go out to the skate park, and I said yes, but he needed to change his clothes and wash his face. Because my instant gut instinct was: you can't go out in all glitter and glam in the outer suburbs, you'll get harassed.

I would feel exactly the same. But ultimately you want your son to be safe and if harassment is likely then of course you will worry. You just instinctively want to protect him. The sad thing is that the harassment goes on, not your comment

Yes, it is a sad reflection of the realities of life.
But try to look in a positive way at how far things have come since you were his age. Was there a Pride parade to attend? Did same-sex marriage exist?
I am old enough to remember a time when homosexuality was illegal; I was in my teens when that change in legislation came through. Prejudice is deep-rooted and ingrained, and change can come painfully slowly. In many parts of the world, the law of the land has not caught up with reality.
Your DS, sadly, has many battles ahead, but your support will make a huge difference to him. He undoubtedly understands why you gave him that advice, however reluctantly.

It depends imo. Was he actually at risk (and of what) if he went out dressed as before? And how old?

It is sad, but sadly it is necessary, I’m six foot, broad and fairly muscular, I wouldn’t wear/do anything remotely gay in public, it just isn’t worth it.

DS is 14 and HFA. People might have ignored him (or smiled at a kid clearly back from Pride) but, where we live, there was a risk that someone might have called him names or attacked him, and he isn't tough enough or socially aware enough to be able to see the warning signs.
I said: you're only 14 and there might be some nasty people, and I just hate that it's necessary.

It is sad, but sadly it is necessary, I’m six foot, broad and fairly muscular, I wouldn’t wear/do anything remotely gay in public, it just isn’t worth it.

I wear pride related stuff all the time, I'm not even gay! It's never caused me any issues. My lanyard is a rainbow, my DM's have rainbow laces, I have pride converse and a few rainbow T-shirt's. I live in a small town, work in a small city, nobody bats an eyelid.

I know the feeling. I think with kids, if they feel strongly about wearing something then explain the risks and let them decide, but if less fussed then why take that risk. Especially at 14 - probably the peak age for violent bullying and street attacks.

Adults can get away with much more in the street than teenagers, as the teens/young adults doing the harassing don't mess with those older than themselves, mostly.

What's HFA?

HFA is high functioning autism. I just googled it so I could be wrong.

Yes, High Functoining Autism. Which includes not being great at picking up on social cues, so I thought it was risky for him as he wouldn't necessarily pick up that people were mocking or threatening him once away from the centre of the event.