• gift_of_gab@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    One of my kids came out as gay, and was immediately bullied by both staff and students (they were in trade school). I did the usual furious parent stuff, but also added a piece of flair every day to tell the world I was bi, and wore a bow in my hair. They came to me a few days later and came out as non-binary, and asked for help getting clothes to match who they were.

    It wasn’t the threats I made to the teacher, it wasn’t the death stares I gave their classmates, it was seeing someone they trusted showing them not everyone is straight that did it. I am so very proud of them.

    I didn’t do anything spectacular, I don’t want praise, I just want to tell everyone I meet that tiny actions like that ripple out.

    • Opisek@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      You deserve an award for being an excellent parental figure. This is the kind of support kids around the world need more of.

      • gift_of_gab@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        You deserve an award for being an excellent parental figure. This is the kind of support kids around the world need more of.

        I’m sorry I don’t mean to be combative here, but I absolutely don’t. This is the bar for being a parent, not a great parent, just a parent. Backing up your kids is quite literally the least you should be doing.

        So please, I appreciate what you’re meaning to do here, yet I don’t want that to be how this story reads. I want people to hear that and know that’s what we need to be doing as a bare minimum. Even if you’re not a parent, this is basic community stuff. Kids bullying the poor young girl who’s trying to transition? Shut that shit down. Store owner won’t let certain races in? Shut that shit down. Kids feel like they can’t be themselves because it ‘isn’t normal’? Shut that shit down.

    • fallowseed@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      i’m trying to wrap my head around deciding to come out in an educational setting-- like were they all on his social media or did he stand in front of class and give them the update, directly?

      • hungryphrogOP
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        23 hours ago

        Telling friends or just casually slipping it into the conversation (“my boyfriend said…”), I guess.

        • gift_of_gab@lemmy.world
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          22 hours ago

          They painted their nails. Classmates asked “are you a fag?” They replied something like “Guess so.”