My grandson is gay and suicidal.

I'm so sorry to hear this. Hugs to all of you ❤️

I'm so sorry he's in such pain. The poor kid. God bless your DD as she mothers him, and God bless you as you mother DD.

This is so horrifying and it's absolutely the reason I didn't respond yesterday. I have a transgender kid who has attempted suicide 4 times. I get exactly how scary that is. I feel for the OPs grandson. I hate that he's going through this. And I hate even more that his comfort people have spent their lives believing that being LGBTQ is a mental illness. It feels heartbreaking to me to think about what her grandson may have heard from his own family that may be affecting his ability to be supported by them. I cannot imagine what he would feel if he read these posts here. The OP and her beliefs might have contributed to his suicide attempt and it may sound petty, but I did not know how to offer her comfort when this is her perspective. I guess it was ok to feel this way when it was my kid, but suddenly it's yours and now you want comfort? After the horrible things you said which pierced the hearts of all of us who love LGBTQ kids?

I will pray for her grandson. I will pray that he will be able to surround himself with people who truly love him for who he is. I will pray that his contact with people who think he's mentally ill for being gay is minimized. I will pray that their words and actions aren't the things that drive him to it. I feel so bad for this kid my heart breaks.

Exactly and I don't happen to think she's changed much either when she uses words like " not being because of the gay thing" in her opening post . Gay THING??

I’m so sorry. I hope he gets the help he needs in the hospital and when he’s released.

Yes, the "gay thing" was what I noticed right away, after unblocking the post so I could read it.

My heart breaks for this boy. I pray that he can find help, and acceptance and love from people who love him just as he is. 

So happy he is safe and knew to ask for help. Big hugs to you as I know you are worried sick.

I am so sorry he is struggling. It sounds like your daughter is a rock for him.

I have to admit that when I saw this post, I cringed though. I remember your feelings and views on a lot of things, and I’m concerned that although you care about him, you may be adding to his pain.

If you still feel being gay is a mental illness and hold views that are anything but supportive of LBGTQ people, I hope you stay on the periphery. Sometimes when we can’t be what someone needs, it’s better to give them space. That doesn’t mean abandon him/them, but if you can’t be 100% supportive, keep your mouth shut.

I felt the same way, jeremysgirl. I tried to respond several times yesterday, but everyone was being so nice, and I didn't think I could be, so I just followed the whole "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" advice. When I first saw the OP, before there were any responses, I thought, "Oh, boy. She is going to get raked over the coals!" I was so surprised later to see how nice everyone was being given the hateful garbage she used to spew about libs and LGBTQ, etc. Honestly, rainbow, I can't believe you had the nerve to even post about this here. It is a classic case of people not caring about an issue until it affects them and their loved ones.

I hope you are being truthful when you say you love your grandson no matter what. But I do wonder if he has grown up listening to your views on this. And what about your daughter? Has she been as staunch against the LGBTQ community as you have? If so, he has spent his life knowing that he is definitely NOT loved no matter what. I have two gay children. My son is very open about it, my daughter is not. She only came out to me almost 4 years ago (she is 26), but my parents still do not know not only that she is gay but that she had a girlfriend for 3 1/2 years. This is because she knows my parents views on gay people and everything else that is anti-choice.

rainbow, I truly wish the best for your grandson. I also truly hope this situation with him has softened your heart towards things and people you may not understand and/or have personal experience with. I hope this makes you realize that things are not usually black and white.

I too, hesitated in responding to this yesterday because of the "huh?" factor. Poor kid...despite the OP saying his suicidal thoughts aren't connected to 'the gay thing', how would you know? He's obviously grown up knowing the OP's opinion on gay people whilst knowing he was gay - it can't have helped.

I too thought we were being trolled by the title or that there would be a link to an article in the OP schooling us. When I saw that it was a personal story I quietly backed out.

Even now, this post is not addressing the OP, but to all my sisters here. I don’t ever want to hear another damn word about how this place is mean and awful. I will drag this thread around with me forever if I have to. The kindness shown to a poster who has hurt many people here with her words concerning their loved ones is overwhelming. And when the irony of the OP was finally posted, even those posts were written with kindness and concern. Respect, y’all.

And it IS political. You can't separate it. The politics that surround us and affect our laws make young (all) gay people feel very fearful for their safety.  They see the way the right feels about them and the changes they attempting to make to take away their rights.


I have personal experience and this directly affects MY child. We have been through the suicidal thoughts, medication, therapy, and lots of soul searching. He is terrified of what is going on right now in this country. He knows who supports him and who doesn't. And it isn't the same if you say one thing to their face and vote another way. They aren't stupid. They still carry that judgement on their shoulders no matter what you think.

Political views and voting patterns in a country are about setting up a good social, economic system for all it's citizens. I'm going to guess that the laws in the US that will protect your grandson and his right to have an education, a job, a flat, a loan etc were mostly at the behest of the left side of the political spectrum. Can you hand on heart say those hard won rights won't be wound back by a very right wing party?

Do you know how many countries around the world would imprison or kill your grandson because of who he is? Just for existing.

Support means more than hugs and listening, it means not voting for people or parties that think he is less than just because he is gay.

There is no half way house here, you are either totally in his corner or not. He deserves nothing less than any and all opportunities available to your friend's straight grandson.

He needs to see and hear you stand up for him.