ANGRY AFTER MY DAD TOLD ME HE’S GAY

Dear Coleen

I’m a 17-year-old guy and still live at home with my parents. Recently, they sat me down and broke the news that my dad had decided he wants to live as a gay man and that he’s moving out in the new year.

They said they are still best friends – in fact neither of them seemed upset. I was shocked, so didn’t say much and I haven’t known how to talk to them about it since.

I feel angry and it’s not because I’m homophobic or anything. I have gay friends and bi friends, so it’s not like I don’t get it. Can you help me with these feelings?

Coleen says

It’s your dad, so of course it’s a shock. What’s great is that your parents are still friends and they’re clearly going to work together to make this as easy on you as it can possibly be.

Look, it doesn’t matter what age you are or why your parents split up, it rocks your world and you regress to feeling like a child again and think about how it’s going to affect you.

Your feelings are natural and it’s just going to take time to come to terms with it all.

I’m sure that part of your worry is that you’ve got to tell your friends what’s happened.

I’m sure they’ll be dead cool about it, but the thought of telling people can be daunting, too.

Your parents have been honest with you, which must have been daunting, so be open with them – tell them you’re feeling angry and you don’t know why.

And maybe when you start the conversation, you’ll find out.