Written by Dustin Fitzharris - My mother’s friends and siblings don’t know I’m gay. No one on my father’s side of the family knows I’m gay. Of course, everyone probably suspects, but my parents are not going to confirm. Are they ashamed? Are they worried about the old stigma that people will judge them for how they raised me? Or, do they believe it’s no one’s business?
I never thought much about their attitude until I read “Guess Who’s Not Coming to Dinner” in the December 11th issue of the Blade. Author Steve Koval wrote, “Although my mom is very accepting of me being gay, it has caused her some discomfort in dealing with others.” Koval details how his mom admitted she faced a “dilemma” when it came time to displaying a picture in the house of her son with his partner. She liked it, but didn’t want to deal with the questions that would inevitably come from guests. MORE ON THIS STORY