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What should I say if my teen tells me he/she is gay, lesbian or bisexual?

By , About.com Guide

Question: What should I say if my teen tells me he/she is gay, lesbian or bisexual?
Answer: Start with “I love you” then go to “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.” Body language is important too. Start with a huge hug and hold on tight. Kisses are appropriate too. In all seriousness, if you can do this when your teen tells you about his/her alternative sexuality, your relationship with your child will remain strong while you both deal with this issue.

Other supportive things you can say:

  • "I'm going to need your help to understand all of this, but you are my child and nothing can stop my love for you."
  • "I'm going to need time to accept this, but you are my child and nothing can stop my love for you."
If you were unable to do this when your teen came out to you, it’s okay. You can fix things. Take a look at the tips in this article: My Teen Came Out to Me and I Blew It.

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