When Adam told us he was gay, we thought, "This can't be true, he's just confused".

You have no idea how long your own child has been asking himself or herself this question. If your child has finally told you, it is because they are no longer confused. They have exhausted every resource they know to remove this "burden" from their life and they have come to an uncomfortable, but profound understanding of their sexual identity.

Your children are not stupid. They know the shame and rejection they will face from society. They know what the church says about homosexuality. Just ask them how many times they have prayed to God to remove this "curse" from them. Their biggest fear was disappointing you and being alienated from you.

Nobody risks banishment, humiliation, and even physical harm to express mere confusion. It is the inescapable certainty that has brought them to the point of risking everything by telling you their "shameful" secret.

When Adam told us, we were certain he was confused. The first thing we did was schedule an appointment with a respected psychiatrist that we knew would quickly straighten him out. Adam seemed to like him but after just a few visits, it became clear to Patti and I that this "quack" wasn't batting for the right team. He was telling us that Adam was gay and that we had better get used to it. We seriously questioned the credentials of his medical school and went looking for a second opinion.

CONTINUE >>