Our society as a whole is progressing, with countries becoming more acceptable of the LGBTQ community and striking down laws that hurt them. However, people who belong to a generation where being straight was the only norm or are brought up with heterosexual principles, are struggling to understand, let alone accept these changes.
And since we live in such a reactionary world, we don’t even stop to think about the fact that the other person isn’t probably trying to be offensive. Instead, they’re starting from scratch and restructuring their mindset. Thankfully musician Jack Remmington understood that and gave notes for every straight person out there on how to approach their LGBTQ friend or relative.
Jack Remmington shared an incident where he was approached by a man. And while he thought that the conversation was going to go downhill, it went on a completely different direction.
Ok I just experienced the nicest exchange with a stranger and think it’ll help to share: I was playing on the Mariah Carey slots in Vegas (naturally) and a friendly circa-mid-40s ish guy sat down to play on the machine next to me
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
He then asked if we were together so we said no (we’re best friends and he has a fab bf) and he asked if we were gay, so we said yes. He then said he thinks his 13 year old son might be gay and wondered if he could ask us how best for him to navigate that
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
So, without any hesitation, Jack told him about how to address his gay son. And, in my opinion, everyone should note down these instructions.
This man is SO sweet. From rural Arkansas and said whilst things are so much better now, he still just wants the world to be totally equal for his son. Marco and I said he sounds like he’s doing all the right things and that making his son know he’s loved is the best he can do
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
We also mentioned not accidentally policing things so as to shame him – for instance, often out of a sense of protection and love parents can frown on a child’s behaviour or outfit because they’re worried for their safety when on a night out etc.
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
So in terms of advice to friends or relatives of a potentially queer person, what would fellow queers advise is the best way to make it known they have their love and support without causing an uncomfortable conversation that might force someone to come out before they’re ready?
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
Knowing that nothing would change stuck with me hugely and I remember that convo as if it was yesterday – it was *clearly* said for my benefit but was comfortable enough that it wasn’t a direct exchange and I appreciate my dad so much for this
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
He also said that the younger brother (10 y/o) had expressed his disapproval of drag queens he’d seen on TV because it was ‘weird’, so the dad explained in earshot of the elder son that if that’s how they want to dress and they feel comfortable then that’s great
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
Still just mulling over this – the dad clearly has no gay people in his life to ask so did his best to ask people with that experience to help make his son’s life and journey though potential queerness as seamless as possible. What a wonderful wonderful man
— jack rem x (@jackremmington) January 2, 2019
Netizens appreciated this ray of positivity that Remmington had shone upon the internet and for giving the world some much needed info regarding the LGBTQ community.
As someone who has spent many years feeding my young friends on the streets who were only homeless because their parents kicked them out of their homes for being #LGBTQ , I would love to give that dad a hug. Thanks for sharing your story with him, and with us.
— Pixie Poe (@PixiePoe123) January 3, 2019
The mental image of this man not knowing how to support his potentially gay son immediately going to the Mariah Carey slots machine to try and find some gays to talk to because he doesn’t know any is the funniest and most wholesome thing ever ksjdksjdks I would die for him
— harley (@harleyraejepsen) January 3, 2019
Literally you’ve just made a huge difference to a family, prime example of fate and everything happening for a reason right there ?
— Claire (@ClaireNotts) January 2, 2019
Blessed thread 🙂 https://t.co/o91sSZN1bV
— Wur0 (@ItsWur0) January 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/laurenlaverne/status/1081098624380092417
definitely worth the read https://t.co/73nWL9q1ee
— antonio (@antoniodelotero) January 3, 2019
The former CJI Dipak Misra had said while striking down Section 377 that “I am what I am. So take me as I am. No one can escape from their individuality. Sustenance of identity is the essence of existence.” And that’s exactly the words that we should live by if we want our future to be more diverse and welcoming.