I would like to wish you a belated congratulations. Not because your son is gay, but rather that your son had the courage to tell you that he was gay.

Telling a parent that they are gay is probably one of the hardest things a young person or any person for that matter, will have to do. It takes much courage, but it also takes a lot of trust.

Trust that their parent's will continue to love them. Trust, that after said, they will continue to be treated with the love and respect that they have come to know and to depend. Ironically, the parent's who have raised their children to be comfortable in that trust, aren't really surprised when their children come out. I know I wasn't.

But sometimes that trust is misplaced. Some parent's, even those who have raised their children to trust in their unending love, react very negatively, even maliciously. It is those children who must not only suffer what society has to dish out, but to handle all that crap without the love and understanding of their most special resource, their parents. And as you said, life can be very tough for someone who is "out".

I have quite a few family members, and consequently many friends who are gay. Some were treated with love and acceptance when they came out, others continue to search for the love and acceptance they once felt. (We irish catholics can be a tough bunch to crack ).

It does my heart good to see that there continues to be parents out their like you and your husband, parent's who put their love for their children before all else!! For that a big thank you AND congratulations. You did a great job both raising and loving your son!

Take care everyone.