Being Gay Is Not Always Easy

Although it is better than it was

People are people, and all need acceptance in their lives

Years ago some friends of ours had their son come out to them as being gay. He was their oldest child of four. They were a close family, and it was not easy when he told them he was gay. He didn’t want to be gay at the time, and they were not exactly happy about the news. They were a religious family in a church that did not condone homosexuality as a way of life. The family loved their son dearly and were willing to stick by him no matter what choices he made.

The family eventually became very involved in the PFLAG organization. PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is a national organization which promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons and their families and friends. They changed the official name of the organization in 2014 to PFLAG. [pflag.org]

These friends were willing to give up much of their former life to support their son. They changed some of their lifestyle and their friends. They became involved with other people who had similar experiences with their children. None of their other children were gay, and they all accepted each other as they were.

I have many friends and some relatives who are gay. They are young and old. The older ones had to hide their private lives for many years. It has not been an easy road for them although there is more acceptance now for their lifestyle. Life has become better for them than it had been.

The fortunate ones are those whose families and friends accept them even though they may not favor the lifestyle they have chosen.

Everyone needs love and acceptance in order to flourish in this life. People are all different, but all need to feel love. Acceptance brings happiness into life.