Do parents of gay kids ever acknowledge what gay means?

Question

The parents I know talk about their kids being gay like it's a hobby. They say their kids are gay, and they talk about school activities and PFLAG gatherings, but they never seem to address the fact that their kids want to have sex with other kids of the same sex. I'm not sure some of them really know what it means. Even the boy on "American High" kept saying he was gay, but I never heard him say anything about any other boys turning him on. Do they all think it's all about the stereotypes and not about the attraction?

OK, I'm not talking about parents being involved in the intimate details, just their unwillingness to acknowledge their son or daughter's significant other (or others) or that they even have one (or some). They talk about "gayness" like it doesn't involve anyone else, like it's a rare disease. They seem to join support groups to help themselves cope, but not to help their kids. They go through the motions, but remain in denial. I'm just thinking that even when families freely admit their child is gay, many still aren't providing any emtional support but are only just saying the words. (No, not my own experience, just several families that I know personally).

Answer 1

Yeah, ive found that true, but at least they're getting the positive out of it rather than the negativity and the hatred.;

Answer 2

I think most parents understand but you're asking about an uncomfortable topic to begin with. I don't know that many parents that think about exactly what it means that their child is 'straight' either. I don't think parents of a straight child are sitting around thinking about how their kid has sexual thoughts, fantasies, what turns them on, etc.. All those parents care about is being supportive of their child when it's an issue the child feels strongly about and if it's something that the child is struggling with because of acceptance issues. In general, I don't think parents really want to discuss the details of their child's sex life no matter what their sexual orientation is.

Answer 3

I think maybe they are accepting and just don't find it necessary to talk about one's sex life. As for myself, I'm not gay, and I sure don't want my parents talking about my sex life. I don't see why it's any different. One's sex life should be their's and their partners, to be shared between them, in their privacy. You can be close in public, and can show affection, but regardless of whether you're gay or straight, no one wants to see you expressing that which should stay in the bedroom out on the streets. So, I think these parents are being respectful.

Answer 4

Um...i dont really know about other parents, but MY parents fully understand what me being a lesbian means. They know im not attracted to men at all and that i'll be raising children with another woman (my partner)

Answer 5

lol, my parents don't talk about my brothers and sisters having sex and I don't want them too! So, why would I want them asking what's going on in my bed! As long as they LOVE and accept me and him (and they did), heck, they bought him better presents than me! Seriously, as long as the love is there, that's all I care about.

Answer 6

maybe some parents just dont want to think about it.. they want to "hide it in the closet" so to speak. I'm not sure, I havent told my parents yet, but some just arn't as open as other. and some have no idea or just dont want to believe it

Answer 7

If you mean do they spend hours thinking about there son inserting his member into another mans rectum. i think they try not to think about it too much, just as most kids try not to think about their paren'ts having sex

Answer 8

My mom certainly knows what gay means, as well as what it does not.

Answer 9

well gay can also meant stupid.