ADVERTISEMENT

Coming out as LGBTQ+ is a process of understanding, accepting, and valuing your sexual orientation and/or identity. It involves both exploring your identity and sharing your identity with others. For some people, coming out is gradual; for others, it’s very sudden.

But regardless of who it evolves, coming out to your parents or caregivers puts LGBTQ+ people in a particularly vulnerable situation. No wonder for many, it’s a nerve-wracking experience ranging anywhere from liberating, confusing to life-changing and emotionally shattering.

Parents’ reaction and response they give to their LGBTQ+ child becomes crucial. “What's the best response to ‘Dad, I think I'm gay’?”, someone asked on Ask Reddit, and it hit close to home for many people out there who shared their own honest opinions and experiences.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

“Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out My stepdad, who I consider my dad, was the man that raised me, and he's a big redneck steel worker. I came out at 18 and he sat me down and said "son, I've loved you like you were my own for the past 14 years. Why the hell would I stop now?"

KeyboardRoller , Frederick Shaw Report

Final score:
421points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #2

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Lesbian here. When I came out to my dad he said “that’s ok honey, I don’t like guys either.”

    wafflemaker9093 , V T Report

    Final score:
    372points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out In the 90s, when my girlfriend finally told her traditional Italian mom and grandma at 19, they sighed in unison and grandma said, 'oh thank baby Jesus, I was worried that I was going to have to tell you.

    DifficultAccident9 , Josue Michel Report

    Final score:
    366points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #4

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out One of my friends from high school was gay, and when he came out to his family his Dad literally didn’t look up from his newspaper & told him his sister didn’t need to tell him she was straight so why would he need to explain that he was gay? He’s known him his whole life and already knew that.

    It was cute because he was so worried.

    0Diamond0 , Mattias Diesel Report

    Final score:
    310points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    larapsilva avatar
    Take me to dinner first
    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ikr!! It kinda confuses me why people have to come out, when we (straights) are just living our lives...

    Vote comment up
    95
    95points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out When I came out to my dad when I was 16 I thought he would disown me. He said: “Son, If anyone ever hurts you for that, I’ll f*****g kill them”. In that moment I realized that I had the best dad in the world.

    Winterpegs , Any Lane Report

    Final score:
    306points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out “I thought you were about to give me bad news! Don’t scare me like that!” - My granny when my uncle came out (in the ‘70’s!). She was decades ahead of her time…

    LongjumpingCake1924 Report

    Final score:
    304points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #7

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out I drunk-dialed my dad my freshman year of college in a sobbing mess and told him I was Bi. Went something like this:

    Me: I'm bisexual.

    Dad: Yeah, I figured.

    Me: Huh? What?

    Dad: There were some obvious signs. Go to sleep idiot. You have class in the morning.

    Indraga , Jonas Leupe Report

    Final score:
    284points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out I want you to know that no matter who you love, I still need you to take out the trash. It's full. And replace the f*****g liner this time."

    1beerattatime , Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas Report

    Final score:
    269points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out It's okay, your mother likes guys too, maybe I am the weird one.

    Drendari , Anna Shvets Report

    Final score:
    249points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #10

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Asian Dad: But are you a Doctor yet?

    DaneDuaPooja1729 , National Cancer Institute Report

    Final score:
    248points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Your mother owes me £10.

    PotterWhoLock01 , Ahsanjaya Report

    Final score:
    242points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out I was getting ready to go to a sleepover with a girl I was totally crushing on and my mom was like “you look like you’re getting ready for a date!”
    And I paused and was like “would it be okay if I was…. Going on a date with a girl?”
    My mom just said, “Of course just remember to practice safe sex. You can get STDs from girls too!”

    Psychological-Run679 Report

    Final score:
    237points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Well... My dad said "I know... And I don't care. As long as you are happy, I'm also happy for you." and then asked me if I wanted a beer or scotch to celebrate that I finally had the confidence to tell him.

    OneMorePotion , Wil Stewart Report

    Final score:
    222points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out I came out a few months ago at the age of 42. My 80 year old dad stood up, started dancing, and tone deaf sing-yelling ‘I have a gay daughter and I love herrrrrr!’ It was adorable.

    lesbianshlesbian , Mikhail Nilov Report

    Final score:
    222points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    alexandradavis avatar
    Alexandra Davis
    Alexandra Davis
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This makes me feel better. I'm in my mid 30's have haven't come out yet

    Vote comment up
    78
    78points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #15

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Hi gay, I'm Dad.

    FizzlePopBerryTwist , Markus Spiske Report

    Final score:
    221points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out I’m Bi. When I came out to my parents, It wasn’t exactly planned.

    My older brother knew I was dating a girl and he accidentally let it slip in front of my mom. My mom looked at me, and asked if I had a girlfriend. I said yes, she then proceeded to ask when I’m bringing her over for dinner. It was the most normal conversation about dating I’ve ever had with my mom.

    I later found out my mom is also bi so it really wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought it was at the time.

    mysticalbulls , Felipe Balduino Report

    Final score:
    211points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out When I came out my dad had the best response ever: "Wow! Now maybe I'll get a son-in-law that I really like!" and then he hugged me.

    Gracie305 , Jack Sharp Report

    Final score:
    205points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    tanne82 avatar
    Me
    Me
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A little sorry for his sisters husband, but still nice response

    Vote comment up
    69
    69points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #18

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Hi probably gay, I’m definitely dad.

    taftastic , Alexander Grey Report

    Final score:
    169points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out So my aunt is kind of old school and doesn’t know how to address things. She is kind of in the middle between baby boomer and Gen X so she is a bit more tolerant, but she is still awkward. My aunt has 3 boys and they are all gay lol. The youngest one was like 9 or something when he told her and he goes “Mom, I think I’m gay” and she looks at him dead in the eyes and says “So? what the f**k you want me to do about it!?” Lol

    She’s fully supportive and tried to be nonchalant but her reaction was probably not what he was expecting.

    anon , Chris Johnson Report

    Final score:
    161points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    ionealva-wies avatar
    Ione Alva-wies
    Ione Alva-wies
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Knowing that someone knew at such a young age makes me really happy

    Vote comment up
    35
    35points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #20

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out When my daughter told me she was gay, I just told her I loved her, and that none of that would change my feelings. Then I began giving her the heads up when hot ladies would walk by.

    PloddingClot , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    160points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #21

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out This story does not involve a dad, but it involves a very religious grandma. One of my friends was very nervous about telling his grandma that he was gay, and put it off for a long time. But when he turned 18 he decided that he had to get this done. When he told her she just looked at him calmly answered "of course you are. I have known that since you were 10". At the age of 10 he didn't even know it himself yet.

    Ashtar-the-Squid , Vanderlei Longo Report

    Final score:
    154points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    lunacrow avatar
    Luna Crow
    Luna Crow
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Glad that religion didn't keep her from loving her gay grandson

    Vote comment up
    64
    64points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out My mother was disappointed. Disappointed because, “You told your cousin Shirley before you told me? I think I should’ve been first.”

    Dontneednodoctor , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    150points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    blohm-iris avatar
    Nurichwersonst
    Nurichwersonst
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was the last one to know that my mum was planning to marry her 'female friend'. She was ancious about my reaction and i was just pissed because she told it to me after everyone else... she didnt expect that. 😅 As long as she is happy, i am happy, too. 😊

    Vote comment up
    66
    66points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #23

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Great ! Now I don't have to worry about you getting some girl pregnant !

    Am Dad. Said this !

    doc1176 , Anete Lusina Report

    Final score:
    139points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #24

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out My daughter was looking extremely nervous one night while I was cooking dinner. I could see her talking quietly with her mom but she continued to look uneasy.

    After a bit of time, she came into the kitchen and I asked her what was wrong. She didn't want to tell me at first but I could tell she was uneasy so I said she could always tell me anything.

    She finally said that she was pansexual. I just looked at her and said "that just means twice as many people that can turn you down for dates now" and she busted out laughing as I went back to cooking to finish dinner.

    She was apparently really nervous about telling me for some reason and was glad I wasn't upset.

    tahquitz84 , boram kim Report

    Final score:
    135points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    blockybellsprouter avatar
    Sprout
    Sprout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read somewhere that going out with men or women is bi, but going out with you is desperate.

    Vote comment up
    38
    38points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #25

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out You still have to wear a condom.

    Ginchy1971 , Mika Baumeister Report

    Final score:
    128points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out Our son came out to us a month ago. We already suspected, so it wasn't a shock.

    When he told me I thanked him for telling me, told him that I loved him, then explained that who he wants to tell next and how he wants to tell them is 100% his choice and we will support him however he wants and needs. He gave us a list of people to tell, and by the end of the week he wanted everyone to know.

    Love and acknowledgement and support.

    Feetyoumeet , Sơn Bờm Report

    Final score:
    128points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    lesleyrelph_1 avatar
    Lesley Relph
    Lesley Relph
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My youngest came out as trans - total surprise to me, I'd suspected gay. My first reaction was 'Yay I have a daughter!'

    Vote comment up
    105
    105points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out My high school aged daughter told me this exact thing while in the car a couple of months ago. I told her "Thanks for being brave enough to tell me, honey. I don't care who you love, only that they love you back as much as I do and are worthy of the love you give them. Make sure they deserve your love and make you a better person, and I'll be happy."

    96-ramair , Breno Assis Report

    Final score:
    120points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #28

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out When my daughter came out, I was a bit shocked, but I told her that I loved her completely and didn't care who she loved. It completely softened her demeanour in our relationship and she has been far more open with me ever since. I think in the months leading up to that she was terrified to tell me, which made her distant and cold. After telling me that, she has been back to normal. Just tell them how much you love them, and get back to business as usual.

    Mr_Mister247 , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    105points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #29

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out “So that’s why you don’t like mushrooms”. At least that’s what my friends dad said to him when he came out. We still don’t know what he meant by that.

    narnababy , Christine Siracusa Report

    Final score:
    104points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    “Your Mother Owes Me £10”: 30 Of The Best Responses People Ever Received After Coming Out My wife asked me this when we found out we were having a son.

    I told her I’d make sure he knew how to fight before he told anyone else.

    I love the boy no matter what, but we live in rural Montana. Of course folks are more accepting than they were in previous generations but you never know.

    CheeseburgerKarma94 , Jonathan Borba Report

    Final score:
    98points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    ppepworth avatar
    Peppy
    Peppy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hope there’ll be no need for fighting by the time they’re grown

    Vote comment up
    25
    25points
    Vote comment down
    reply
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #31

    Pregnancy isn't the only STD.

    rhymes_with_snoop Report

    Final score:
    17points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    wendillon avatar
    Monday
    Monday
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well yes....but it certainly has the potential to be the most expensive.

    Vote comment up
    12
    12points
    Vote comment down
    reply

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!