I remember when I was in college, I went to a close friend's childhood home for Thanksgiving dinner with his family. My friend was openly gay at school, but he hadn't told his parents yet at the time. While we helped his mom prepare dinner in the kitchen, she told us a story about a kid in her class who was afraid of coming out to his parents. "I just feel so much for this child who believes there's a possibility that his parents won't accept and love him. That must be so hard." To me, she was talking about my friend just as much as her student. It was a sweet moment that I remembered again when my friend finally came out to his parents, and of course, they responded with love and support.
Not all coming out stories are positive ones, but it's encouraging to know that there are so many good parents out there who love their kids unconditionally. We've collected some of our favorite wholesome and funny coming out stories from a recent reddit thread.
"Sit down lady, we gotta talk. I have to tell you something and I really hope that it doesn't change anything between us, you're my granddaughter after all. So... Uhm... Didn't think it would be that hard... But... Sarah. You're gay." said u/lil_sh_t.
"This was my literal response when my brother came out to me. He'd called me and said he had something urgent to tell me and it had to be face to face. I was a bus journey away and started to panic so I made him tell me over the phone. 'I'm gay.' 'I know that! I thought someone had DIED'" said u/Suspicious-Brain-521.
"Can confirm. I'm gay and don't like mushrooms. It tracks." said u/narnababy.
"I had a friend who came out to me and asked me to be around when he told his mom. She was awesome idk why he wanted me there. So he walks into her office and I'm outside the door, he is obviously nervous and fidgeting. She looks up and goes, 'Oh good, you're out of the closet.' Gave him a quick hug and told him to go buy something she needed for dinner." said u/co_snarf.
"That's better than a buddy of mine from college. His dad was one of those manly men, fire fighter, did wood working in his spare time type guys. My friend wanted support when he came out to his dad, so I went with him. He told his dad that he was gay, and his dad just said, 'No shit. You've been gay since you were 14.' He then looked at me and asked if I was his sons boyfriend. My friend replied 'no, just my friend,' and his dad said, 'Good. You can do better.' Fucking brutal. My buddy then told his dad that he loved him, and his dad grunted, which is manly man talk for I love you too, and then he grilled us cheeseburgers." said u/Aromatic_Location.
"A friend of mine told me he knew his son was gay because around that age his son always pointed out how strong road workers were whenever they passed them on car rides." said u/bluvelvetunderground.
"I had to watch Magnum PI all the time when I was a kid. 40 yrs later and my type hasn't changed." said u/Uffda01.
"Nothing more sobering than knowing for absolute certainty your parents love you no matter what." said u/RealEdwardNigma.
"For me this is the most real 'dad' answer. Doesn't question what you're doing, just wants to make sure you're doing it right. 'Dad, i think I'm gay.' 'Don't just think it, you have to do it.'" said u/manwithoutcountry.
"I can't believe I had to scroll this far down for the dad joke I was damn like where is it" said u/Lunnaa1.
"You were cooking dinner? You missed a golden dad joke chance. 'Get your own pan. This is mine!'" said u/juicius.
"Just like your old man!" said u/katanakid13.
"I don't care if you want the D, as long as you get the A's." said u/Portarossa.