Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
It’s 2025, and homosexuality has been widely accepted and deemed normal for many years now. Yet, you may still encounter people living with the same outdated views from decades past, which can sometimes be problematic.
This father had to deal with his homophobic parents who shamed his gay son behind his back. The incident infuriated him so much when he found out that he had kicked out his mother and father from his home.
However, the man felt guilty, thinking he had overreacted, so he asked the AITAH subreddit if his actions were indeed uncalled for.
RELATED:
Homophobia still exists in this day and age of a supposed progressive society
Image credits: Andrej Lišakov / unsplash (not the actual photo)
A father shared an unpleasant experience concerning his gay teenage son
Image credits: Annie Spratt / unsplash (not the actual photo)
As it turned out, his clueless parents made some homophobic remarks
Image credits: Phillip Goldsberry / unsplash (not the actual photo)
He threw his parents out of his home, causing massive family drama
Image credits: Odd-Square-4505
Many LGBTQ individuals unfortunately experience emotional abuse at a young age
In today’s society, a global divide on homosexuality continues to persist. According to a Pew Research survey in 2020, there are still eight countries in the world where more than 50% of the population believes homosexuality should not be accepted.
With the continued existence of such views, members of the LGBTQ community unfortunately continue to suffer some form of abuse. According to a 2022 paper published in the Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry, 83% of LGBTQ individuals have experienced at least one adverse experience as a child.
These experiences typically include emotional abuse and affect mental health, especially if it comes from a parent. As licensed psychotherapist and Gay Therapy Center founder Adam Blum told HuffPost, humans have a built-in need for safe attachment to their caregivers.
In the story’s case, the grandparents may have been oblivious about the son’s identity, but their homophobic remarks were hurtful, nonetheless.
Older people tend to hold more prejudiced views, likely due to misinformation and failing to outgrow outdated views. However, their families are under no obligation to educate them. As Washington, DC-based psychologist Dr. Brad Brenner advises, leave it to the professionals.
“Some people may need to outsource this, and many organizations and professionals can inform others about LGBTQ+ history, identities, and issues,” Dr. Brenner told HuffPost in the same interview.
As someone who may have gone through an episode of homophobia with a family member, Dr. Brenner says pragmatic communication is the next best step. He explains that it’s drawing a line in the sand and letting that relative know they are overstepping their boundaries and why.
“Remember, the goal here isn’t to change the other person but to safeguard your emotional well-being,” Dr. Brenner said.
The father was in the right by protecting his son, who had been deeply hurt by the grandparents’ words. However, a calm yet stern conversation could have avoided the tension.
Image credits: Janosch Lino / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Most commenters were on the author’s side
But a few accused him of “not accepting his family’s feelings and beliefs”
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Rebecca Joan 10 months ago
I love when the bigots try to turn the tables like the first YTA. “You’re not accepting of their beliefs.” Yes that is true because they are antiquated and outdated. People are gay. Get over it. Telling them to find someone of the opposite gender will NEVER change the fact that the person is gay.
Nikole 10 months ago
Yeah, when those “beliefs” involve bigotry, hell no I don’t respect them
Load More Replies...
Sarah Belt 10 months ago
Wow... just wow on the first two YTAs. Guess OP's family found the post.
DrBronxx 10 months ago
Oh look. Ridiculous YTA responses. Who would have thought? The first two, anyway. As for the third, that is not the interpretation I had - there was no implication that OP is closeted. That's the commenter's inference, possibly their projection.
Paul C 10 months ago
When I read it, I inferred that is what was being implied. It struck me as a very weird comment - find a nice girl like the OP's wife. As though the wife was able to keep their son on the "straight and narrow", with the emphasis on straight. But then I'm really bad at working out implied meanings, so I could well be wrong. Either way, the OP's parents were way out of line and should definitely have been kicked out. It must have taken huge courage for the young lad to come out. The grandparents should be providing unconditional love, not trying to change him.
Load More Replies...
Panda McPandaface 10 months ago
As a gay man whose father totally rejected him because of it, I am so proud of this dad and, I must admit, envious of the young lad for having such a great and loving parent.
Mark Childers 10 months ago (edited)
Gender is a spectrum. Nature does not produce binaries. Everything and everyone is different. Therein lies the beauty. The fact that homophobia still exists is an indictment of human behavior. There is no place for it. There never was, but so many people suffered because of it and still do. Good for this dad sticking up for his son who is just being his authentic self. I will never understand why people care about who other people love, like it's any of their business.
E M 10 months ago
Anyone telling OP YTA is a moron who's never had someone reject them for being who they are. Those fools can rot in hell. It's not "their beliefs," it's intolerance. And OP doesn't need to have that poison affecting his child.
ॐBoyGanesh 10 months ago
Also, I am not obligated to respect, approve of, or keep quiet about your beliefs. Ever. Nor are you mine
Load More Replies...
Nova Rook 10 months ago
And they did it when the father wasn't around, as if they knew they were being horrible.
Bette 10 months ago
Oh wow. I am always amazed by the YTA who feel sympathy for the grandparents in this case. The grandparents may indeed have a viewpoint, but they do NOT have the right to impose it on the grandchild......especially behind his father's back. That indicates a conscious decision of deceit. The father is absolutely correct in protecting HIS son from ANYONE who would deliberately hurt him, regardless of their so-called connection.
Rebecca Joan 10 months ago
I love when the bigots try to turn the tables like the first YTA. “You’re not accepting of their beliefs.” Yes that is true because they are antiquated and outdated. People are gay. Get over it. Telling them to find someone of the opposite gender will NEVER change the fact that the person is gay.
Nikole 10 months ago
Yeah, when those “beliefs” involve bigotry, hell no I don’t respect them
Load More Replies... Sarah Belt 10 months ago
Wow... just wow on the first two YTAs. Guess OP's family found the post.
DrBronxx 10 months ago
Oh look. Ridiculous YTA responses. Who would have thought? The first two, anyway. As for the third, that is not the interpretation I had - there was no implication that OP is closeted. That's the commenter's inference, possibly their projection.
Paul C 10 months ago
When I read it, I inferred that is what was being implied. It struck me as a very weird comment - find a nice girl like the OP's wife. As though the wife was able to keep their son on the "straight and narrow", with the emphasis on straight. But then I'm really bad at working out implied meanings, so I could well be wrong. Either way, the OP's parents were way out of line and should definitely have been kicked out. It must have taken huge courage for the young lad to come out. The grandparents should be providing unconditional love, not trying to change him.
Load More Replies... Panda McPandaface 10 months ago
As a gay man whose father totally rejected him because of it, I am so proud of this dad and, I must admit, envious of the young lad for having such a great and loving parent.
Mark Childers 10 months ago (edited)
Gender is a spectrum. Nature does not produce binaries. Everything and everyone is different. Therein lies the beauty. The fact that homophobia still exists is an indictment of human behavior. There is no place for it. There never was, but so many people suffered because of it and still do. Good for this dad sticking up for his son who is just being his authentic self. I will never understand why people care about who other people love, like it's any of their business.
E M 10 months ago
Anyone telling OP YTA is a moron who's never had someone reject them for being who they are. Those fools can rot in hell. It's not "their beliefs," it's intolerance. And OP doesn't need to have that poison affecting his child.
ॐBoyGanesh 10 months ago
Also, I am not obligated to respect, approve of, or keep quiet about your beliefs. Ever. Nor are you mine
Load More Replies... Nova Rook 10 months ago
And they did it when the father wasn't around, as if they knew they were being horrible.
Bette 10 months ago
Oh wow. I am always amazed by the YTA who feel sympathy for the grandparents in this case. The grandparents may indeed have a viewpoint, but they do NOT have the right to impose it on the grandchild......especially behind his father's back. That indicates a conscious decision of deceit. The father is absolutely correct in protecting HIS son from ANYONE who would deliberately hurt him, regardless of their so-called connection.
You May Like Woman Refuses To Host Thanksgiving For 30 People, Pushy Family Still Tries To Guilt-Trip Her Into It Woman Is Made To Choose Between Work And Husband's Family, Picks Her Career: "Just Figure It Out" Woman Breaks Up With Boyfriend After An Activity With Her Son Makes His Ex Completely Lose It
Indrė Lukošiūtė
Jonas Žvilius
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Related on Bored Panda
44
27