How can I explain homosexuality to my parents?
220 Answers
Moderated by Danielle Johnson, MSED, Community mental Health Counseling, LMHC
Updated: Apr 29, 2022
Anonymous
on
Nov 11, 2018
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You can tell them that it is an attraction to the same gender. If you are a girl, you can explain to them that it would be you being attracted to other girls. If you are a guy explain it as the same, but an attraction to guys. If they still do not get that, you can explain it as the same as heterosexuality, except with two guys or two girls. It could also be explained as the same attraction a guy feels for a girl or a girl feels for a guy, but instead with two members of the same gender.
Anonymous
on
Jan 5, 2019
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I think if you are going transparent and showing who you truly are inside then the ins and outs of homosexuality don’t need to be explained to them at first unless they ask to know more but rather you could explain that you’ve always felt different, that you understand it will be hard for them to process at first as it was for yourself. It’s not something you chose for yourself and if you could chances are you would want to blend in and not draw attention to yourself or hurt anyone but this wasn’t the option you were given but it’s the road you choose to pursue. If you still want to love and support me then it’s a journey you (parents) will have to take with me but I can understand it may take some time to sink in, or it may never sink in but just as you had the choices in your life whether good or bad, this is a choice I have to take for myself.
Anonymous
on
Jan 24, 2019
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Explain it in simple terms, in a way that normalizes the idea. Think of it the way you did when you first learned what homosexuality was: it's when someone loves people who have the same gender as they do. Explain that love is the same, no matter who the other person is. Remember that, as a general rule, parents want what is best for their children; they want their children to be happy, healthy, and to have better opportunities in life than they did. Confusion and misunderstandings may happen at first due to any preconceived notions they have of sexuality prior to this, so it may take some time for them to understand. But above all, remember that you are valid as a human being, and who you love is a part of that, not an exception!
Relationshipexpert
on
Mar 20, 2019
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Tell them that it's love just like their love for each other. It doesn't need a label. Love has no labels! If they love you, they will support you! You can do it! Explain to them that you can't help who you are or who you love. Be the person you want to be. Not the person the world wants you to be! Homosexuality is okay! You're human and there's nothing wrong with who you love. You are just as amazing as the others. Remember that people who love you, will accept you no matter what. Be strong and be yourself. ♡
Am3r1canDrag0n
on
May 3, 2019
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That you like someone of the same gender. This is the same as a man liking a woman or a woman liking a man, except with different parts. You still like them for their looks or for their personality. You can still hold hands, kiss, and get married in some countries. You can still be happy, and you can always adopt or have a male friend donate sperm in order for you to carry a child if they are worried about kids. Answer every question they have, yes, even the stupid ones. This will help them understand what may be a foreign concept to them.
Anonymous
on
Jun 1, 2019
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I understand it can be really difficult to come out to your own parents. Try to talk to them while they are calm and they are opened to listen to you. Don't try to talk to them after an exhausting day as they might get upset! Tell them how you feel and that you will always be their son/daughter no matter what! Because you are homosexual it doesn't mean you are not their son/daughter! Try to answer all the questions they might have and thank them for listening to you. Tell them honestly how you feel and how difficult it is. Nevertheless, be ready for everything! A good exercise is to ask yourself 'What is the worst-case scenario?' and try to find solutions. I also recommend you to take a look on the Internet or watch videos on how to come out.
friendlyHeart49
on
Aug 24, 2019
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When I told my parents I was bisexual I told my mum first because, A: she tells my dad everything, and B: she's the parent I'm closest to.
I sat her down and told her that I was bisexual through tears (it can be scary, but trust me, it's so worth it) Then I took about two hours to explain to her what it meant and gave her time to absorb it. I kept having to repeat myself because she seemed to be confused at first. I told her, "I like girls as well as boys."
"In what way?" she asked. "In an admiration way."
"No," I said. "In a sexual way."
This went back and forth for about two hours. But afterwards this whole weight lifted off my shoulders and I'm so glad I told her.
Explain it in simple terms and give them time to digest.
Anonymous
on
Oct 3, 2019
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Well first of all they shouldn’t even need an explanation, but this could help them understand it more I guess. You see someone you are drawn to and attracted to, you can’t help it and they do happen to be of the same sex. Just like it is for heterosexuals. They don’t choose who they are attracted to just like homosexuals don’t. It’s really simple and everyone should be able to understand this. You can’t help who you’re attracted to. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just a part of who you are and you don’t need to explain yourself for something you have no control over.
Anonymous
on
Oct 18, 2019
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Make sure that they understand you are not choosing your sexuality, start by telling them how girls and boys who are hetrosexuals are not being trained to be attracted in eachother and go on by telling them you also are not being trained or pushed by a specific person, tell them that you know about the way other people behave against homosexuality and how their support is the only thing which can make dealing with others easier for you, they need to know that no matter what is your sexuality, you love them and you appreciate the love they give to you
Anonymous
on
Nov 8, 2019
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Start slow, and be respectful. They are your parents and they think they know you best, even if that’s not necessarily true. Treat it as important as it is. You may have known for a while or not long at all but this does mean a lot to them and the topic deserves its weight. Personally, when I came out to my father it was indirectly and an accident. He didn’t deserve that. I should have told him outright, even though I was scared. He was okay with it but i do regret having it be so seemingly unimportant even though, to me it wasn’t.
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