In a previous article, I detailed my ongoing struggle with same-sex attraction (SSA) as I live out my vocation as a Catholic wife and mother. From that perspective, I'd like to share what I think is an authentically loving response to what strikes fear into the hearts of most faithful Catholic parents: your son or daughter coming out as a gay man or lesbian. As someone who knows this struggle intimately, I've thought a great deal about how I would respond to such an admission by my child. Obviously, I'd have a slight advantage over most Catholic mothers because I have my own SSA journey to share. But even beyond that, if my son came to me and confessed to SSA, I would:
Listen to him compassionately and let him unburden his heart without seeing me react in horror, disgust, or disappointment. Reassure him I love him unconditionally. That he has no reason to be ashamed. That we are all sinners in need of God's grace. That no cross is more disgusting or better than another. Ask if he's considered he might be called to the single life or religious life, which brings with it a deeper union with God than is usually possible in marriage and family. Offer resources about the theology of the body if he hasn't studied it and it open to it. Ask if he'd like to seek therapy with a Catholic counselor trained in dealing with SSA. Yes, these people exist and they know how to handle this cross in souls sensitively and with great compassion. As a Catholic, I believe that SSA is a disorder and just as with any disorder, I'd recommend individual counseling.* If he wants counseling, I'd offer to pay for it. And assure him I have no expectation he will emerge from the experience "cured" of his SSA. That I expect it will be a lifelong cross for him. That I will love him even if he emerges as an on-fire, flaming homosexual drag queen, even if I'm praying for that NOT to happen! If he chooses not to seek counseling, tell him the option is always there. And assure him, again and again, that I'll love him no matter what. Then, I'd drop the subject — unless he asked me to talk about it. Love him. Pray for him. Sacrifice for him. Our first priest once said, "When people tell you they're tempted to sin, you pull them close. Once they sin, you pull them closer." Unless you've experienced it, you can't imagine the self-loathing and shame that comes with SSA. So it's critically important that we as Catholic parents do everything we can to assure our children who have this cross that while we can't support them having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone of the same sex, we will always, always love them deeply as a person. Jesus loved us "even as we were sinners." Even when we're rotten to the core, He still adores us and pursues us. I'd want my son to know I still love his sense of humor, admire his cooking skills, and appreciate his kind soul — regardless of what else he does in his life. This message — that he is more than "gay" — is something he won't be hearing in the gay subculture.
The single greatest thing we must do if our child struggles with SSA is keep the relationship loving and open. If we worked hard while raising our child to ensure he understands the Church's teaching about sexuality, then more preaching will only drive a wedge between you and you'll lose the Catholic influence you could have on his life. When our children have chosen the wrong path, we need to fight their sin with prayer and sacrifice, NOT words. A person who constantly hears he's disordered will feel deep shame and avoid you, no matter how many times you follow it up with, "But I love you anyway!"
For as long as my son remained chaste, I'd encourage him to remain an active member of our faith. The only reason I've been able to maintain a loving, fruitful marriage despite SSA is because of God's grace. There is no greater weapon in the battle for chastity — for gay or straight people — than the Eucharist and Confession.
Poster Comment:
Should have taken him to a real church.
