¶ … traumatizing for a parent to find out his children are homosexual or for a child to find out his parents are homosexual? The answer to this question is never easy, but is increasingly important as homosexuals assert their rights to come out of the closet and to raise families more and more. Karen Peterson's article, "Looking Straight at Gay Parents" assesses varying aspects of the latter situation. Michael LaSala's article, "What to do When Your Child Says "I'm Gay!" explores significant ramifications of the former situation. A comparison between these articles indicates that it is more difficult for children to grow up with homosexual parents than for parents to find out their children are gay. (Describe subject 1) The effects of parents finding out that their children are homosexual can actually help some parents. Once parents get over the initial surprise, this...

Moreover, it can also help them to become emotionally closer to their children. LaSala's article demonstrates some of the positive repercussions that parent feel after their children inform them of their tendencies in the following quotation. "I find that some parents get to the point where they believe that the experience of having a gay child actually made them a better person -- more open-minded and sensitive to the needs of others, particularly those in minority groups. Yet others found that their relationships with their children grew to be closer, stronger and more honest than ever" (LaSala)
LaSala says too that the discovery will make parents more open-minded and tolerant not only to their own child, but to others too. However, it will take a while to get used…