Hello,
I've nc for this (obvs!) "just in case".
My 16yo DS came out to me on Sunday. I had no idea whatsoever! If I had had to guess I would have said asexual, he doesn't seem interested in anyone at all!
He asked if he could go hang out with friends - completely unusual but exciting because he hardly ever goes out.
He said they were going shopping in our local larger town and his friends parents were driving. Whatever, unlike him to go shopping but meh.
When he got home he got me by myself and said he had something to tell me and if he didn't tell me now he didn't think he ever could. He said he hadn't been honest about where he'd been and he'd actually been to the Pride Parade in our local town. He showed me a rainbow ring and a rainbow necklace he had bought and told me "I'm gay" and then he apologized and said he understood if I didn't like him anymore. :(.
I was so caught off guard because I had absolutely no idea. I just said I only wanted him to be happy and it doesn't matter to me, and then I gave him a big hug. I had no idea what to say.
I then repeated that I only wanted him to be happy but also to please be careful and look after himself. He said he knows, and he will.
Then we had awkward silence and he left.
I told his Dad then (his Dad was in the house at the time but he obviously only wanted to tell me himself). His Dad went to talk to him and just repeated that we only wanted him to be happy and we were glad he told us and it's best to be true to yourself.
I hope we handled it OK. It hasn't been mentioned since other than I said he probably shouldn't wear his rainbow ring to school (Catholic High School) and he agreed. And then I panicked and thought he thought I was ashamed of him. I'm not, but I don't want him to get hassled.
He has Aspergers, I already thought he was probably not having the best time at school.
Argh. I don't know what I'm asking or saying.
Could anyone advise? I hope we've handled things ok.
He absolutely never tells us anything so I'm so proud that he found that courage.