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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Brother has come out gay and no one dealing with it very well

55 replies

Star2015 · 22/11/2015 21:06

Hi all, thread attached, any comments would be helpful and greatly received.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/lgbt_children/2514192-Brother-has-come-out-and-no-one-handling-it-well?msgid=57735252#57735252

OP posts:
ljny · 22/11/2015 23:21

Op, I think I understand how you feel. My DD "came out" in her teens, it was kind of a shock mostly because it the possibility had never occurred. You think you know a child, a sibling, then find out there's something fairly fundamental you were clueless about.

Take the time to readjust your thinking. In retrospect I felt I'd missed some clues - but she was a youngish teen and it was mixed up with the problems of trying to respect a teen's privacy, not pry but still be available - that whole impossible balance.

Also, it was over 10 years ago. Even though I had friends, her older siblings at uni had gay friends - times were different. I'd hope that nowadays we don't assume someone's sexuality, that there's more space for kids to

I understand your surprise, it doesn't mean you're intolerant or your gay friends are somehow fashion accessories not real friends! You probably knew they were gay when you met or soon after. You've known your brother all your life without knowing this, it might take some readjustment.

Especially as he's had to hide his real self due to your parents' intolerance. That's the real problem. I hope you will support him and be very firm and clear with your parents. You, too, may be forced to make a choice.

If you really think they will say something unforgiveable, perhaps you could spend xmas with brother and tell them why. Ultimately they need to accept their son - but it may be worth giving them more time to come round before risking a schism.

As someone said above, have you asked your brother what he wants? Most of all it's about him - he's facing the horrible possibility of severe rejection from his own parents. He's very vulnerable, I hope you can put him first.

DustyOwl · 23/11/2015 07:08

My brother came out a long time ago and he was really lucky to have my families support, though I think it was a shock for my parents at the time.

I recently watched "Pride" and I think it's really easy to forget that it wasn't THAT long ago that being gay was illegal and certainly wasn't as widely accepted as it is now. There is a whole generation that grew up with that around them (not that I am condoning it.)

I feel very lucky to have grown up with very accepting people around me but I know for a fact that my MIL would be very angry/disapproving/might have gone ape shit, if any of her children had come out (we have had some very heated discussions on the topic)

Maybe you are feeling a bit strange because he didn't tell you right away, I think I would have felt hurt if my brother didn't feel he could share it with me. I know I would feel odd if he had a partner he kept from us all.

Like others have said, he's still the same brother. Let him know he has all the support he needs from you, you can't be held responsible for what your parents say. And just give it time, The older generations in my family took a bit of time to realise it was the same old DB. G

Isetan · 23/11/2015 08:24

No one can put you in the 'middle of things without' your agreement. Whatever issues your parents have about their son's sexuality its their business and you do not have to defend or agree with them if you don't want to.

Actually, I think your parents are a convenient distraction from your own feelings and your time and energy would be better spent working through your own issues regarding your brother's sexuality.

BIWI · 23/11/2015 17:49

TheFallenMadonna that's lovely to hear! I'm hopeful that somehow DS1 will manage to have children, as I know he would dearly love them. Somehow he just has to find a partner first! Grin

mummytime · 23/11/2015 18:06

I also object to this idea that everyone over 50 struggles with friends and relations being gay. A couple we know we're both in a civil partnership and are now married; as far as I know their parent had few problems with it (in their 70/80s).

P1nkP0ppy · 23/11/2015 18:13

I'm over 60 and I definitely don't struggle with friends and acquaintances being gay. I've had gay and lesbian friends from teenage years, no problem - why should there be?

motherinferior · 23/11/2015 18:24

I'm 52 and have no problem with many and varying forms of sexuality.

Mintyy · 23/11/2015 19:42

Yes, me too motherinferior (infact I am a mighty 53) and WHOLLY object to being thought of as part of the older generation.

The first person who came out to me was a close male friend when we were 17. So that's before I went to University. I don't remember turning a hair, infact he and his boyfriend were openly a couple at 6th form (I'm seeing him for lunch next week ah bless, after all this time!)

Once I got to University I couldn't move for the gays poncing around hither and thither - but then I did do drama, so what would you expect?

I reckon at least a quarter of my facebook friends are gay, as well as my brother and sister.

People of 50+ are not automatically homophobic. I'm really quite incensed!!

dementedpixie · 23/11/2015 19:52

My brother told me he was gay when I was about 16 (so he would have been 19 maybe). I don't remember being very bothered about it. Him and his partner used to let me go with them to gay bars and buy me drinks!

dementedpixie · 23/11/2015 19:53

When I was at uni as he let me stay with him during the week as it was closer to uni than my parents house

motherinferior · 23/11/2015 20:01

Yes, I had the sort of university experience where it was quite embarrassing not to be gay.

DustyOwl · 23/11/2015 20:04

I'm sorry my posted sounded as if all people of that generation/age would have a problem with gay relationships, I have just re read it and it didn't come out the way I wanted at all. I was just trying to think of reasons why other people might.

My mum and dad are in their 60's, when I say "shocked" at my brother, I think it was more "surprised". It didn't last long. My Grandma is 90 and she also had no problem at all with it, she felt the way I do, "why would I have problem with it?"

Good luck OP with Christmas.

motherinferior · 23/11/2015 20:08

It is undoubtedly true that homophobia was more acceptable in previous decades. So was racism. Plenty of us did not share this bigoted view.

ThePastIsObdurate · 23/11/2015 20:08

These days I find it difficult to understand why anybody needs to 'come out' as gay. Nobody ever comes out as straight?
I don't think anybody should have their sexuality automatically assumed as straight.
I'm not sure what advice to give you really....but I think that's because it's just not an issue at all for me. If somebody is gay, they have relationships with the same sex, rather than the opposite sex. I don't see it changing anything in your relationship with your brother? Unless you have a personal problem with it. Which I wouldn't understand either.
You don't have to be stuck in the middle, you do what you think is right. He can't turn off being gay, he always will be. It doesn't define him, it doesn't change him, it's just his sexuality.
As I said, you don't pick a side or get stuck in the middle, if you are accepting of your brother being gay then you support him and wait for your parents to catch up. If they don't they don't. But that should alter your relationship with him.

ThePastIsObdurate · 23/11/2015 20:09

Shouldn't, that should say.

Best of luck

mummytime · 23/11/2015 20:20

"These days I find it difficult to understand why anybody needs to 'come out' as gay. Nobody ever comes out as straight? "

Apparently Maria Eagle felt she had to "come out" as straight, as people assumed as she was a twin of Angela she must be gay too.

KirstyJC · 23/11/2015 20:23

My brother never came out at all, I assume he thought we would figure it out when he never had a girlfriend and then started holding hands and kissing his boyfriend in public. Likewise, I haven't ever told my parents that I'm straight either.

I think it's sad that people still feel they need to come out - and I think it is a reflection on those around them, or at least how they think those around them would react. When my Mum and Dad were growing up, it was illegal to be gay. Yet neither one of them has really been all that bothered about my brother at all. So I don't think that a homophobic attitude is down to the times they grew up in, it is down to the person. Your brother is who he always has been. They'll either realise that and enjoy sharing his life, or they will miss out on it.

TheFallenMadonna · 23/11/2015 20:28

My PIL are casually racist, and use the "older generation" excuse for that too...

ThePastIsObdurate · 23/11/2015 20:38

Generally - people do not come out as straight.

Well said KirstyJC Flowers

museumum · 23/11/2015 20:45

OP - I really think your family can get through this. My dad is in his 70s and Catholic. His sister came out late in life after a marriage and two children. She divorced and is now married to a woman.
My dad "doesn't believe in" divorce or gay marriage and yet he has been nothing but lovely to my aunts wife.
I guess because ultimately he is a good person and also because nobody is stirring around the wider issues. I admit it's a bit odd and not ideal but it's working for our family.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 23/11/2015 20:50

OP there can be a happy ending even with homophobic parents. My mum was a devout Catholic with homophobic views before my sister came out. Now she has rejected her church in favour of her daughter. When there was a petition going round the church against gay adoption my mum wanted to stand up and tell them all how wrong they were. She's not returned to church since.

My mum is 65.

Catsize · 23/11/2015 23:02

Wow, if only we lived in a time when people didn't have to come out as gay etc. That would be lovely (and is several generations away).

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 23/11/2015 23:11

Hi OP

You might have been discouraged by some of the more er Hmm forthright comments on here...but I saw this thread last night but didn't comment, so wanted to follow up. Your post resonated with me.

My brother came out at 26. I too was shocked and unsure about it all. I too have gay friends - none of the handbag variety as suggested up thread!

I think there was a mix of things for me:

  • 'Mourning' the life I thought he would have and that maybe we would one day both have kids who'd be cousins. I know being gay doesn't preclude kids, but it is generally less straight forward & less common than straight couples.
  • Worry for him. Even though (and this was 12 years ago) the world is a much more accepting place - as it should be - there are still elements of society that will single out/focus on/bully/attack people for being gay. I just felt his life had suddenly got harder.
  • I also worried about the increase chance of catching HIV. It isn't just a "gay thing" I know, but again it is more common etc. I am very paranoid about it generally, those tombstone adverts in the 80s did their job with me!
  • Worrying about my Daily Mail reading parents.

In fact it was all fine. My parents have been ok about it.

And I have the greatest admiration & love for my brother for deciding to come out and to tell all he knew with the space of a week. He spoke of the relief of realising why he didn't like women (sexually).

I hope I was accepting and supportive to my Bro, but I am also human and think it is fine to have mixed emotions about things.

He sadly still struggles with the concept and has been on quite a journey, but he is the happiest he has been for years I think. Sadly no partner on the scene but he doesn't seem bothered.

Another member of my family is gay and is 'in' to his parent, which I think causes so much internal misery for him..I have no doubt that living your life as you truly are has to be the best thing for you and those around you.

Hopefully your parents will come around & you will adjust. He is still your brother and needs your love and support more than ever.

I am not sure you have received the support from this thread you were hoping for, but I just wanted to say I am sure it will all work out ok.

Wishing you all the best. Flowers

motherinferior · 24/11/2015 10:09

I have never 'mourned' my sister's choice of sexuality.

MackerelOfFact · 24/11/2015 10:33

I do kind of know what you mean, OP. I find it awkward seeing my (previously eternally single) DB with his partner. We all get on fine, but when they hold hands or kiss, or whisper in each other's ears, or fall asleep together on the sofa after Christmas dinner... it's sweet, but it's weird because it's not how I'm used to seeing my DB!

His partner is female BTW so it's not a homophobic thing. It's just weird suddenly conceptualising a family member as a sexual being.

Having said that, I'm sure you and your parents will be able to get your heads around it a bit better when you've met the partner, put a real life face and personality to the name, and can see that they're compatible as a couple.