For most gay people, it is a challenging process to reveal their true selves to friends and family. It’s important to note that everyone’s coming out journey is unique and personal, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. The most important thing is to do what feels suitable for the individual and to have a supportive network of friends and loved ones.
But what if your trusted network made fun of it or outed you before you were ready?
A Redditor and a mom asked on AITA, “Am I wrong for telling my son that he is obviously gay?” Here is the story for you.
Backstory:
The Original Poster (OP) has a son who is 17 years old and has been in the closet for the past 7 months. The OP says that his son is pretty masculine and straight-acting, but he has a boyfriend for the past 7 months.
He baby talks to his boyfriend, hug him, calls him handsome, shares clothes, sit close to each other to the point where they are almost cuddling, closes his bedroom door when with him (not with any other friend), sees him every time day, buys gifts, etc.
For the past 7 months, OP’s son has also made an effort to smell good, fixes hair really nicely, dress nicely, etc.
Related: Sister Made Homemade Food For Everyone Except Her Brother’s Stepdaughter. We Think She Is Justified.
What Happened Today?
The OP asked his son if he would invite his boyfriend on their family trip, and the OP’s son got awkward and said it was not funny.
The OP asked what he meant, and he clarified that “I am straight; that’s not funny.” OP laughs at this comment, and when she realizes he is severe, she laughs even harder.
The OP then tells him that he was obviously in a relationship with this guy and did a terrible job hiding it. OP’s son got emotional and asked the OP to not say anything to the dad.
What Did This Make Him Feel?
OP’s son got upset, saying she outed him when he wasn’t ready, and he hadn’t spoken to the OP in a couple of days. OP asks whether I am wrong in what I did.
What do Others Think Of This?
We went through many Reddit comments only to find everyone blaming the OP. From “you did not give him the time or space to come out on his own” to “laughing at him” and “being callous,” – there were several reasons. However, many stood with the OP because her intent wasn’t malicious, but she could have handled it better.
But we want to hear from you. Was OP correct in outing his son like that? Was it inappropriate for OP to laugh and then laugh harder? How would you have reacted in this situation?
This article originally appeared on Mrs Daaku Studio.