[SolApollo]

Regarding the "blame game," both of my parents asked what they did wrong in my upbringing or was I raped by someone in the past (seriously). Obvioulsy, I told them I didn't choose to be gay, and that is just some genes that made me this way. They are both wrestling w/ it, but said they would accept me & love me no matter (parents are divorced & re-married to other spouses now = divorce happened before my coming out). Mom said she will accept me & future partner (hoping he becomes the guy currently dating, but that's the future...). She cautioned to wait telling my dad until I am committed w/ someone as he may have panic attack (seriously, lol).

Estrangement? Not in a general sense, but I have estranged myself from dad's side of the family as they radical Repunlicans, fundamentalist "Christian" and homophobic (the teabagger variety, ugh). They have narrow viewpoints of the world and believe its "their way or the highway" so to speak; so I keep my distance.