Good afternoon!
My apologies if this has been asked before, but I am wondering:
(1) If there is anyone on this forum, who has a Mom or Dad who opened up that they were gay?
(2) Were you a JW at the time? If so, how did this affect your relationship with your parent?
(3) If you are no longer a JW, has your relationship with your parent improved?
(4) Are there any parents on this forum who are gay and have children?
(5) If you have come out to them, how has your relationship been affected?
The reason I ask is that I am gay and a parent. I came out to my kids when they were between 13 and 21 years old. I had already left the Watchtower due to my crisis of conscience (this occurred about 10 years earlier). Initially the kids seemed OK about it, almost like it was no big deal (despite their being raised JWs). But, sadly, they each embraced the JW faith and shunned me.
Although I realize that by embracing the JW faith they likely would have shunned me even if I hadn't "come out" to them, in letters I received from two of my kids (to officially shun me), my "homosexuality" was high on the list of things that they condemned in me. Of course, not the only thing, but it was a biggie.
I am especially hoping for "insight" into the perspective of JW "kids" and how their views changed once they themselves left the Watchtower. I will always be hopeful that my kids eyes will be opened and that our relationship will be restored --- and maybe your responses will give me some encouragement, that this indeed can happen!
Thanks so much!
Ziggy