new forum member to Soulforce

[boxerlover]

Hello, my name is Jan. My husband and I have a gay daughter, who came out to us as "gay" when she was 16. We also have a straight daughter.
Over the years we have become active supporters of our local PFLAG
organization and speak out as parents of a GLBT child on various university
panels for faculty classes. We believe it is important to take an active role in
both of our children's lives be it gay or straight.
We were asked to leave our church if we supported our gay child instead of
kicking her out of our household as we were instructed. Our gay daughter has been fired from a job because her boss found out from a customer that he has a lesbian working for him. However, these kind of issues just make us stronger in our convictions that equaility for ALL people is essential! When our straight daughter recently married, she made her sister maid of honor
and made sure (much to her inlaws dismay), that her sister and her sister's
partner were included in the wedding pictures! So we are very blessed that
our gay daughter has the support of her sister and her family, as many GLBT
individuals do not.

[SolInvictus]

Hello and welcome,
its great that you support your daughter so well. Believe me, many of us wish we had such parents. I still can't tell my dad as he is extremely conservative, but my mom and stepdad are very supportive.

[keltic63]

That's so great that you support your daughter in the way that you do. So many lgbt children do not have that. It must have been hard to have your own church tell you to forsake your daughter; good for you for making the choice to keep your family together.

[schoolboi]

Jan! I love having new parents! I'm adopting you now just so you know. Soulforce parents are fabulous!

[Zerbie]

Wow Jan, thank you so much for all you do, and for sharing about it here. I wish my mom were more like you!

I came out to my mom at the ANCIENT age of 9 (long story as to why so early) and she beat me! It was the only time either parent ever struck me, but she slapped me in the face over and over while screaming horrible things about homosexuals. It lasted a very long time. All I could think the entire time was "Oh my god, gays don't have mothers!" Yet I was so thankful that she finally decided to hit me, because before that she was backing away with her hands pulled back like I was too disgusting to touch.
Now that I'm married she completely ignores my involvement in gay activism and refers to my bisexuality as a "phase" that's over. So I can't share most of my real self with her.

A piece of my heart is still back there in 1984 huddled in shock against the wall. You have no idea how glad I am every time I hear of a mom or dad who responds by loving their gay child.

THANK YOU!!

[Ellen]

Wow, thanks for sharing your story. Have you found a new church?

[Big-Cheese]

I dont like weeeeeeeeeee replies like im about to make but it has to be said that you two are an inspiration! Love and hugs!