sorry the kids in these picks don't look sixteen. (they're midgets ;) )

Well, i think all the other options apart from the "ignoring" one, that's just ignorant) are plain homophobic.

I wouldn't take exception to him/her. My child is my child, no matter what the choices he/she makes; nothing can separate my love from my kids. Or my wife, for that matter. This is analogous to the pick about infidelity: link

I might seek counseling for me and my child, not to "cure" him or her, but to reveal/address the issues behind the decision to keep such a big aspect of his/her life a secret. My children should know me well enough to realize that nothing can alter my love and affection for them; the nature of this hypothetical reveal feels like it might be done to shock or outrage. If my kid is seeking that kind of reaction from me, there's something broken in our relationship.

Although I'd hope that they already knew this...

I can't say that I would be happy at first.

Now, before anyone goes off on me, I would be upset about a few things that have nothing to do with his/her being gay;

1) He/she stayed in a relationship without my knowledge or consent (I'm assuming in this hypothetical situation that I, as the parent, do not approve of dating?)

2) He/she felt that this needed to be hidden from me, there must be something I or someone else has done to give such an impression.

3) I'll admit, part of me would be worried of others' reactions. Now, I will definitely teach my child to be proud of who he/she is and not let the ugly people in the world tear him/her down for who they are. But in the back of my mind, I may be worried about how I could protect him/her. As a bisexual and from knowing other homosexual/bisexual/one transgendered individuals, I know that as of now, living your life as a gay person can exceedingly difficult. There is immense hate in the world for so many things, even at my own high school.
A part of me would be concerned about his/her safety and how I will be able to ensure it.

But besides those three things, I will accept my son/daughter for whoever he/she is. There is nothing wrong with being gay, it's something that needs to be comprehended.

EDIT: Changed choice of words.

*Well, perhaps my third concern would have to do with his/her sexual orientation (along with 2)? xD

-sapherequeen- I totally get your third concern. Even though my reaction would be 'as long as you're happy, I don't care with what gender' I would be scared that other people might not respond like that. There are a lot of homophobes in the world and I would want to protect my child from that kind of hurt.

I would be kind of disappointed that my child did not tell me about the relationship earlier, but since coming out at 16 is hard enough as it is, I would not be angry with my child because of that.

Why not?
What's wrong with being gay?

I agree with -sapherequeen- on this. Sure, I wouldn't exactly be elated about this revelation, but it's still my child. I would love them no matter what

I would be very hypocritical if i was against my children being gay as i am! it's perfectly normal and no-one should be ashamed of it.

I'm a firm Christian. I would let my child know that I do not love them any less than I did before. But let them know that I do not support it.

^Twilight_Dream, I understand and respect that you don't support homosexuality due to your religion.

But, a question came to me when I read your comment, I really want to ask you this. And normally I don't do this with people who say they are against gay rights due to their religion...

But, my question is;

While you may not support gay rights, would you still support your child?

I believe in only one type of relationship: man & woman. Not: man & man, woman & woman. I know that a lot of people are for gay rights. I am against it. I don't hate homosexuals or lesbians. I just wish that they lived their life and not parade it in front of society. I don't agree with gay marriage, I believe that marriage is a sacred union between a man & a woman. I am sure that a lot of them are nice people. I would wish no harm on them. I guess you could call me an old fashioned girl with set ideas. I was raised in an environment where that kind of thing is a SIN. However I disagree with that, being gay isn't a SIN. You are not causing anyone harm. My step-sister is a gay supporter and has a lot of friends who are gay.

If I had a child who is gay I wouldn't be very happy. I'd blame myself because I probably would think that I didn't teach my child any morals. I'd try and help him/her to change his/her opinion. If that wouldn't work, I would take him/her to see someone who could help. If nothing works, I will still love my child regardless. I will NEVER cut him/her off. After all he/she is my child, and I am that child's mother. I would always be there for my child. I just wouldn't be very happy.

By the way I am not trying to cause any hate. I just telling you how I feel and what I would do.

I'd punish my kid for having a secret boyfriend or girlfriend of any gender. I don't think a secret relationship is a good idea.

"I'd punish my kid for having a secret boyfriend or girlfriend of any gender. I don't think a secret relationship is a good idea. "

youknowit101, sometimes teens find it hard to talk about their feelings with their parents- perhaps they're afraid of their new boy/girlfriend not being approved, or they feel shy, or don't feel like the parent would understand.

may i just ask how you would punish him?

"I don't hate homosexuals or lesbians. I just wish that they lived their life and not parade it in front of society"

wait, but straight people parade kissing/itimacy in public all the time, why not in public?
are you saying it should be a secret, something to be ashamed of and just not feel confident and proud of it?
and when you said you'll blame yourself if you child "didn't have any morals" are you implying homosexxuals have no morals?

I know, I was a teenager not long ago. I understand keeping it secret for a week or two, but two months is too long.

I'd probably ground him or her for a few days and regulate when they see each other for a while. Nothing major, but enough so they know to not do it again.

i get where your coming from. trust is a big part in a relationship, and i too would feel upset if my child didn't feel he/she could trust me enough to open up to their own parent, but still, i think it depends on the relationship between the child and the parent. let's say if the parent didn't even live with his/her child anymore, or he/she was never interested in his/her child, or was abusive. i think there are definatly exceptions.

The question is asking what I would do.
If my child didn't live with me, I wouldn't have the right to ground him or her or the means to regulate who they spend time with. If I didn't care about my kid, I wouldn't care if he or she is gay or lesbian. I don't plan on becoming an abusive father.

"I don't plan on becoming an abusive father."

It would be pretty...interesting if someone were. :/

I'd actually try to take a peek into that person's mindset out of pure curiosity.

"I don't plan on becoming an abusive father."
oh no, i wasn't trying to imply anything like that, youknowit101, oh no, that was just completly hypotectical.

I'd be so upset and hurt if my child will think of me as such a horrible mom that he/she can't even tell me he/she is gay and kept it for two months.

I'd feel like I failed as a mother! I mean, I want my kids to feel like they can always come back to me whenever they need me, no matter what. As long as they did nothing wrong(murder, rape, burglary, assault etc), I don't want them to be worried about my reaction.

I am a Christian and there are certain parts of the bible that I am sure would not agree to their lifestyle. I think I would mearly have a long talk and see what is going on in their head and just tell them that they are too young to be attached to anyone male or female and that God should be important. Though I would love my child forever, I wouldn't agree with her choice nor would I tolerate them.

First I'd punish him for lying and being a sinner, then I'd send him to a camp to spank it out of him!!

What a pleasant way to treat your child, you sound like you would be a loving and caring parent. And I'm sure a good spanking is all the boy would need - truly, you have a mindboggling grasp of human nature.

^ Oh the delicious and nutrious power of SARCASM. :D
"First I'd punish him for lying and being a sinner"
Being a sinner? But not everyone shares the same belief system which would declare that as wrong to you. Your son might become a buddhist or a wiccan, or a athiest or a protestant--- not all religions count homosexuality as a sin.

You know what? I think I change my mind.
I don't really think its fair to label a teenager whos just discovering who he/she is. I think he/she should be given time to think it over and experiment with who he/she is (i'm just going to say "he" now, because it takes less time to type ^-^). Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against homosexuality (I'm a loud and proud bi myself)- and i believe sexuality should be something to celebrate, i just don't think its just to put people in all these stupid boxes before they have the chance to figure it out for themselves, test out a few different things, live a little.
There a nine year old in my little brothers school who already identifies as a lesbian openly. One one hand, I think its great that people are becoming more open about these "taboo" subjects, so people can learn the facts and educate before they discriminate.
HOWEVER- 9 years old? Seriously? Should they even be THINKING any lustful thoughts about any gender until their at least 13?

But I'd be kind of upset that he/she didn't tell me about it until 2 months into the relationship.

^^^^What a loving parent you sound like. (Sarcasm!) And though I'm not a Christian, doesn't the Bible say that everyone is a sinner? And I don't think "spanking it out of him" is going to do a damn bit of good. It will probably just make him scared and distrustful. Sexual orientation is not like an drug addiction, you can't just withdraw or take a pill and it will change/go away.