Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How can I explain homosexuality to my parents?

220 Answers
Last Updated: 04/29/2022 at 11:15pm
How can I explain homosexuality to my parents?
Perfect therapy for people who need help. I would like to say, I never can imagine it could be possible to heal people like that
Ta Tania
5 star rating
Moderated by

Danielle Johnson, MSED, Community mental Health Counseling, LMHC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Sometime situations and feelings can be so strong that we struggle to function. You are not alone! My practice is flexible and open-minded and tailored to your personal needs.

Top Rated Answers
Profile: thelittleprinces
thelittleprinces
April 14th, 2018 3:14pm
Explain it to them when all is calm and peaceful and nothing is on their minds! Make sure to clear all stereotypes and put kindly as possible and always make them known that they can always check on with you for doubts!
Anonymous
April 25th, 2018 12:25am
Be honest. That's truly the best advice I can give you. explain how you feel as yourself, as specifically as possible. If you can, explain why you feel the way you do. Try to "put yourself in their shoes," or consider how they would best understand it. It can also help to research online about the science behind homosexuality or even non-scientific ideas that are reputable.
Profile: kindsoul129
kindsoul129
April 25th, 2018 12:30am
There is no right or wrong way - just a way that feels right for you. Starting with common ground can help - maybe you all know someone in the LGBTQ community, or maybe you want to start talking about attraction and love and what type of people you feel attracted to. You don't need to educate your parents and you aren't responsible for how they react. Coming out is a big deal to many people so you may want an ally you can call after for support or seek counselling. Remember that parents can be shocked or concerned and anxiety can often drive a negative response. Often things can settle down over time as they accept and understand what you've disclosed.
Profile: sunnyForest44
sunnyForest44
April 28th, 2018 1:43am
You can tell them that you are attracted to people of the same sex and that you have decided to tell them how you feel because you trust them to know.
Anonymous
May 13th, 2018 10:40am
Sometimes very simple terms is the easiest, especially for people who don't really understand the concept. Basically describe as what they are used to, but with people of the same gender. It's exactly the same story, just with different characters.
Profile: ephender
ephender
May 16th, 2018 4:11am
This is a hard one- one that doesn't really have a universal answer. If your goal is to explain homosexuality for the purpose of just explaining sexuality- you can direct them to the American Psychological Association or the American Psychiatric Association to show that homosexual is a natural variant of human sexuality. In contrast, if this is about "coming out". You have to always prioritize your safety. As a queer person- you will always be "coming out" for the rest of your life- at work, at school, etc. But WHEN and HOW you do it is YOUR choice. I recommend coming out ONLY if you feel as though it is safe to do. Have a back up plan incase things do not go as you would like them. Join our LGBT support group, or our community group for inspiration and ideas. Most of all- be proud who you are- because you are special- you have self worth- you matter. GOOD LUCK!
Profile: NiyahBaptiste
NiyahBaptiste
June 5th, 2018 11:11pm
Explain it in the way that makes the most sense to you, Explain how its not a choice its not an option its natural. That its as natural as taking your first breath. You persay might not know at the time that you are a Homosexual but its there and when you finally do decide to come out, just try to express that its not a choice its something thats always inside of you, like being good at basketball; for some thats just something they themselves are good at, for others they just arnt. Thats homosexuality its a sexual preference that is deeply rooted inside a person, its a romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. And then just leave it at that.
Profile: calmingSalamander18
calmingSalamander18
June 7th, 2018 3:07pm
This can seem daunting and a difficult subject to approach. I've had to go through similar things with my own parents and it depends on how open and accepting they are. If you know that they will be ok with it then I would suggest trying to open a discussion with them about it - maybe bring up a local pride event in a near town? If you think they could be less accepting then test the waters - do you know anyone lgbt in real life or on tv? If so try mentioning that to them at dinner or in the car. Gage their reaction - if they don't seem to mind then maybe it's worth trying to open a discussion. Remember, though, that your safety always comes first: do not risk your safety!! I wish you luck and I hope that it all turns out ok - it has with my family so there is always hope.
Profile: AlexanderReed
AlexanderReed
June 7th, 2018 5:15pm
There's many ways to come out or explain homosexuality to people. You could sit them down and have a conversation or maybe even write a letter. You can try to say something along the lines of "Mom or Dad or both, I want to explain something to you. It's something you may have a hard time understanding and that is why I'm going to try to explain to the best of my ability. Homosexuality is something that's gotten more attention over the years. It's basiclaly just feeling love to the same gender. It's just like heterosexuality, nothin is wrong with it, we just feel feelings towards the same gender versus the other gender. So I'm a boy or girl and I'm attracted to a boy or girl. Try to explain it in a very simple way. I hope I could help. 😊 Good luck,
Profile: AllRainbowsAreMagic
AllRainbowsAreMagic
June 9th, 2018 11:47am
You just have to let them know. If they don't understand, don't worry. Explain what you feel, and why. They might be sceptical at first, but they should support you.
Anonymous
June 13th, 2018 10:38pm
Maybe you could watch a movie with good gay representation with them. See what their reaction is like and then maybe start a conversation based on that.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2018 10:35pm
my definition of homosexuality would be romantic or sexual feelings towards someone of the same gender
Profile: helpfulRecipe95
helpfulRecipe95
June 23rd, 2018 2:52am
Show them pamphlets maybe? What i did with mine is just tell them flat out thats its okay and acceptable :)
Profile: lotsoftypos
lotsoftypos
June 23rd, 2018 8:05am
Start the conversation like this. "Dad, why do you love Mom? How can you explain it." Wait until he finishes. Then ask Mom. Then say, this is how I feel towards, (Select Gender)
Profile: Opalescentrose
Opalescentrose
July 1st, 2018 5:13am
It's pretty textual to describe! A person who likes people of their same gender. Love is love, embrace yourself
Profile: empathicSnowflake61
empathicSnowflake61
July 1st, 2018 5:17am
Maybe tell them that it's the same kind of love that heterosexuals have for each other, just for the same gender
Profile: flightlessRoss
flightlessRoss
July 1st, 2018 7:40am
explain what it means first, then explain how you feel about it and how its something you cant just choose
Profile: Olweg
Olweg
July 1st, 2018 9:08pm
Some people are heterosexual. Other are homosexual. It's not any more a choice than being heterosexual. It's not a disease or a perversion, it's just a bit less common than heterosexuality. And most importantly : it's not about sex, but about love. (or at least, as much as heterosexuality is :p). Attraction is like a spectrum : it can evolve in one's life, and it can stay the same all one's life.
Profile: iman2002
iman2002
July 12th, 2018 11:31am
Homosexuality is when a the same genders are attracted towards each other. They feel the physical attraction too.
Profile: Sandra98
Sandra98
July 19th, 2018 1:24pm
Tough question. If your parents are homophobic it's gonna be hard to change their view. But it is good to teach them and remind them that homosexuality is natural and normal. You're just borned with that. Scientist are not 100% sure what causes sexuality but parents shoudn't blame themselves if their child is homosexual because as I said it's normal and natural. Around 5-10% of population is homosexual... but I'd guess it's even more like 15-20%. So it's not that small number.
Profile: Allears247
Allears247
July 25th, 2018 8:13am
Tell them that is the sexual attraction to one of the same sex. That it can happen both naturally and unnaturally. That a gay man likes a man the same way a straight woman likes a man. It's just the way your brain is wired.
Profile: Teenagehelp
Teenagehelp
July 28th, 2018 2:48pm
Coming out- is a big step to a new reality. Why do you recognize yourself as a homosexual ? If you have already thought about all pros and cons of being homosexual, then do it. Try to tell it at the time, you will be completely ready for that. Actually, parents are people who always love and understand so just be you when you talk about your secuality
Profile: S229
S229
August 12th, 2018 1:05am
Slowly. Give them time to process, its not a race and you most certainly don't want to seem unsure of it
Profile: musicalBubbles69
musicalBubbles69
August 12th, 2018 6:03am
I can explain homosexuality to my parents by telling them that people, in general aren’t always attracted to the opposite gender.
Anonymous
August 12th, 2018 7:51pm
Explain it as you would explain heterosexuality but as 2 men or 2 woman. Give them time to understand. Explain slowly and calmly
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2018 11:17pm
First, make sure that you are not at risk in any way to being kicked out and check that they either understand nothing at all of it and also try to confirm that they do not have any extreme aversions to it, in order for your safety to be confirmed. Try to find time for you to have the appropriate discussion. Discuss the meaning of sexual orientation to your parents and make sure they fully understand the definition. Then discuss homosexuality and give it as the definition of being attracted to the same gender as yourself. Also make sure to thoroughly explain that it is not a perversion and try to work through any biases and beliefs they may have about homosexuality and make sure they understand that it is completely normal.
Profile: starryMelody66
starryMelody66
September 9th, 2018 5:27am
You can explain homosexuality as one of the facets of your very complex personality. It is a part of who you are, just as much as the trees are a part of the forest. Homosexuality is feeling at home, feeling loved and experiencing great joy in a same sex coupling. Tell them homosexuality is easy, it is like breathing to you. You know in your heart that it is a part of you. Tell them you have a great capacity to love, and you couldn’t imagine loving in any other way. Tell them to two people of the same sex in a relationship is the same as any other- based on love and understanding and kindness. Homosexuality is your love and truth.
Anonymous
September 12th, 2018 7:51am
Homosexuality is a tough subject, especially when it involves parents. But the easiest way to do it is by saying it's when someone likes the same sex. Don't sugar coat it. It's really an easy thing to say. It can be scary, yes, but saying it shouldn't be hard. If you're telling your parents that YOU are homosexual you should remember that it's best to do it in a calm, semi public environment. Do it quickly, like ripping off a bandaid, and expect questions or confusion. Try to work with them, but don't let them tell you that it's wrong if they're unaccepting. Nothing is wrong with being gay. Even if they're unaccepting know you're not alone, you have millions of people just like you out in the world. Everything will be okay.
Profile: annesofish
annesofish
November 7th, 2018 12:54am
I think the important thing is to focus on how you feel about the person and how much you love them first, before getting into the homosexuality aspect. You can try to explain that love is love, and you just happen to love someone of the same gender as you. Your talk to them should also depend of their own possibly distorted views of homosexuality, so you can try to ask them what is it they think. Then you can go from there to talk to them. The important thing is to normalize what you are experiencing and to focus on the emotions youre feeling. Stay strong.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2018 9:50pm
You can always tell them you have important stuff to tell them and sit them down. Go with easy words. They love you no matter what,they are your parents afterall. Good luck and don't be afraid!It's okay to show emotion while talking too.💛