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Dear Instinct,
When I came out my first year in college, my parents, being from very rural Ohio, were not very accepting. It's been almost six years now, and my mom is back to the old loving, caring mom I always had. My grad school friends ask how she is before they ask about me. My mom and dad both love my boyfriend, and she was the only person to send us an engagement card this summer. My mom sticks up for gays, as she once told me about an encounter at a diner on vacation. Some kids were talking trash about gays, and my dad had to basically hold her back. She can even go back to where I grew up and talk proudly about her gay son, even with all the narrow minds lurking in the hills. It thrills me to know that my mom is one proud parent of her gay son, the same son she always had. 
“I had a really rough time coming out during my first year as an undergrad," Jeremy says. “I faced some pretty harsh gay bashing in an all-male dorm, but I know nothing will ever be harder than coming out to my parents. I thought they'd never speak to me again, but I was totally wrong. His mother, Terri, applauds his strength of character. “I am very proud of him because he's not afraid to go for things he wants," she says. “I am 44 and I don't even have the courage that he has." Jeremy credits her for his bravery. “She has taught me to live my life to its fullest without worrying about what people might think," he says.
“I wouldn't have made it this far in life without her support, that's for sure." Terri says that Jeremy has inspired her, too. “I would like to tell every parent out there that if your child comes to you, telling you he or she is gay, then reach out and offer your support," she says. “Gay or straight, everyone needs their parents' support. The world needs more great people like my son."
Have an especially great mom or dad? E-mail us your story at parent@instinctmag.com!
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Instinct Online 
