My daughter and her sexual preference.

[Spreck]

Tonight, she wanted to have a private discussion with me in her bedroom (since company was over) and she told me about a girl at her school, a friend of hers, who's had a crush on her for quite some time now. I asked her how she felt about that. She told me that the girl is really nice and a really good friend. I sensed she was wanting me to sort of guide the rest of the conversation since I guess she felt pretty nervous, also because, heh, she told me that she was nervous about talking to me, beforehand.

I asked, "Do you like her in return in that way?" and she said, "Well.... yes. I prefer girls over boys." Up until now, I have only ever known her to have little crushes on boyz. I asked, "You prefer to be with a girl like a girlfriend then?" and she said, "Yes, for kissing but, don't worry, no sex, noooo." She asked if I was upset about it all and, of course, I told her no and that whatever and whoever makes her happy, then I'm happy, too, even though some people might not be comfortable with it.

She will turn 15 in a couple of weeks. She's had a couple of "boyfriends" in the past, innocent little things, sure. Maybe she's just curious, right now. But she is very mature for her age and all. I don't know. She will figure it all out, I'm sure.

Just wondering for those of you who have children, if you would have a problem if your child was gay, if it would make any difference at all to you. I sometimes think that fathers with sons might have a harder time accepting it.

[Demonic Baboon]

I don't have kids, but I hope I wouldn't have a problem with it. From a pragmatic point of view, the risk of pregnancy is obviously diminished. Now, if my son started to date a stereotypical flamer, that might annoy me, but only because stereotypes annoy me in general. I'd react that same if my daughter brought home a comic book geek that looked like Comic Book Guy or a jock with a sleeveless t-shirt, sideways Tapout baseball cap, and tribal tattoos.

[George Hower]

I'm with DB on this.

If I have children someday, I will try my best to instill open-mindedness.

[MourningEchoes]

I'm with DB as well. If the ultimate goal is happiness for your child, and this makes him/her happy, I see no problem whatsoever.

And holy fuck she's almost 15.

[Spreck]

Good! I know it might be easier 'said than done' when you don't have kids and all, but it's your offspring, after all, so, definitely, you will want whatever causes them nothing but happiness in their lives. I don't understand how some parents actually can have a problem with it. It's just a bit ironic since my sister's son, since he was born, more than a few of us just KNOW he's gay, and he's only nine/ten, but we've suspected it for years, already. So, hehe, we're not going to have any grandkids! Well, unless they adopt or do whatever. But that's alright, sure.

And, yeah, Matt, lol. Can you even believe that? I mean, I'm her mom and I can't. She's like an inch shorter than me already and I'm like 5'10"! She's such a great person, too.

I have always tried to instill open-mindness with her. Like, look at me, even. I'm not exactly the typical-looking mom with the piercings and black clothes and so on and so on. Plus, we have a VERY open relationship and I've never ever, even though she felt nervous to tell me about the girl crush, caused her to feel so weirded out or uncomfortable about anything she might need to talk about. And, lol, I've got some wowzer questions over the years!

[stoggie]

You're already doing the right thing, love and support is what is most important. Love can be scarce for some people, I don't know what gender should have to do with two people finding it with one another.

That said, if it were to happen that my yet to even exist son was gay, I can imagine it would be something I'd need to deal with. I can sit here and say how awesomely cool with it I'd be but the fact is, it would probably take time for me to be the super cool dad with a gay son. But it would be due to my hang ups, my bullshit, and things that ultimately do not matter in the grand scheme of life, so I think I would get over myself. After all, as Mr. Hicks says... it's all just a ride.

[NIXON]

These days, it's a lot easier to be gay. There's much more open-mindedness about it, and the Internet has helped like-minded people unite with each other more readily.

[EyeOfMorbidAngel]

..So like, When can I date her?