Should I talk to my 8 yr old son?

[MarthaQuest]

Hi, not sure where to post this really but grateful for any advice.

Background-
DS is 8 and a happy innocent chap. He has a best friend in his class who he is very close to.Both boys are quirky in their different ways-ds bit aspie and currently obsessed with circuit boards and his best friend is much more academic, very literary and old fashionedly effeminate in his mannerisms- addresses ds as 'My Dear Friend' Very endearing to the mums and girls in his class, but some problems mixing with the other boys.

Anyway, his teacher told me today, that a girl in his class had told her that best friend had told her a secret', the secret being that 'he loves DS'. She went on to say that she thought the other children in the class were beginning to notice and comment on their close relationship. Apparently there is a lot of hand holding and leg touching going on in school! She thought I should know but I'm not sure what to do with this information.

Now, Me and my family couldn't care less if ds' friend or ds turn out to be gay. I'm friendly with best friend's mum to, and she's joked before about her ds not being interested in girls-but they are only 8-and DS plays with both girs and boys.

But do I need to prepare him for the potential cruelty of other children? And what is the best way to do that?

Also, recenltly at home, he's been showing a new interest in 'sexy women on TV' so would it be best not to say anything.

Oh, this is a long waffly post, and I'm not even sure what advice I'm asking for!
I suppose I'd be interested to hear if anyone's been in a similar position!

Thanks for reading if you've got this far

I've read this far, and couldn't leave it. I'm boringly straight, (saw your thread in "unanswered messages") so perhaps others could correct me, but...

At 8, I really wouldn't be worrying about a child's sexuality. Children love their parents, cousins, dogs, and dogs' cousins at that age; of course they love their friends. I'm actually more surprised at the teacher who, if I haven't misread you, is passing on playground gossip from children, and then adding some.

I agree the teachers comments seem most inappropriate. If she feels that a friendship is getting a bit heated then she is the best placed person to manage that (its not that unusual although perhaps most common with girls - dd's friendship have gotten somewhat intense at times). I'm not sure what she expects you to do really. I guess I'd chat to your ds and get an idea of his thoughts (completely neutral though, just a how are you feeling about your friendships at the moment sort of convo) and if there is anything to follow up on with regard to how he feels about the friendship or how other people are reacting then just offer him whatever advice seems appropriate. I had talked to both my two (now 9 and 11) about homosexuality at that age, just to let them know what it was about and that it was fine that some people are gay, and that probably 1 in 10 people are homosexual and that if they were then that was fine too (oh and that they'd be in trouble if we heard about them being nasty to someone or calling them "gay" as an insult).

Thans both of you.

DS knows he can ask me any question re: SEX so i had been waiting for him to bring it up of his own accord,
but i suppose it might be an idea to discuss homosexuality with him now.

I was surprised at his teacher too, although she has past form for indiscretions and unprofessionality! Oh well only 6 more weeks to go!

He's probably not connecting his loving feelings towards his friend(s) with anything to do with sex just yet, but there's certainly no harm in exploring loving feelings generally.