In a world that’s dismissive and sometimes even dangerous for gays and lesbians, one mom is giving LGBT redditors acceptance on National Coming Out Day.
Diogenes71, a member of r/gaymers, a videogaming subreddit for LGBT people and their allies, learned yesterday that quite a few members of the community were unable to come out to their families and friends without risking their well-being.
Writing in a new thread, she urged these gaymers to come out to her instead:
“I’m a 41 year old mom of two teenage boys. My oldest is gay and has the full support of both of his parents and his brother. If you’re[sic] family won’t accept you, in honor of the day, I will be happy to virtually adopt you if you want to come out to a family that will accept you no matter what.”
More than a hundred redditors accepted her offer gratefully. And each time, Diogenes71 wrote a personal, heartfelt response. For example:
“Mom, I’m gay. I hope this doesn’t change our relationship, but if it does, I understand,” LockedInTheCloset wrote. “Thanks for letting me do with you what I can’t with my mom IRL :)”
True to her word, Diogenes71 accepted her new digital kid:
“Of course this changes our relationship!” she replied. “I’m even more proud of you than I was before I knew you existed. You have the courage to accept yourself in a society that isn’t always supportive of that.”
Gay or straight, redditors expressed their approval.
“That nearly made me cry,” Bengt77 wrote. “You’re doing a great service to the gay community here on reddit.”
We’re with Bengt77. Try and read through the entire heartstring-pulling thread without feeling like you just began chopping onions.
Photo by torbakhopper/Flickr