Mother’s support gave gay son love to last a lifetime

Dear Abby: I grew up in an extremely conservative, rural area of northeast Mississippi in the ’60s. I came out as gay to my mom when I was 13 in 1970, and she said three things to me that set the course for a lifetime of love. As she hugged me, she said, “I will always love you, no matter what.” Then, looking me straight in the eye, she thanked me for my honesty before again pulling me into her arms and whispering, “I’ve known since you were a small boy.”

I was overwhelmed by her acceptance, not to mention her validating words, and we wept together. Our relationship became so much closer and stronger. I never missed calling her every day of her life. We shared our ups and downs. Most of all, we laughed — a lot.

When she became ill, I returned to the small town where I grew up and looked after her until her death at 87. We had a wonderful final six years together.

I’m sure many comingout stories don’t end this well. But it does go to show how well it can be handled and the benefits of handling it properly. — Out And Proud in Louisiana

Dear Out And Proud: Thank you for your heartwarming letter, which I am printing today, National Coming Out Day. It brought to mind a letter I published in 2007 from a woman who, to her regret, was very late to accept her gay son. Read on:

Dear Abby: My husband and I raised two sons and two daughters. One son and both daughters married well. Our other son, “Neil,” is gay. He and his partner, “Ron,” have been together 15 years, but Neil’s father and I never wanted to know Ron because we disapproved of their lifestyle.

I was 74 when my husband died, leaving me in