One of my better friends in the whole life, the one who knew me as a dub and supported me the whole time: she picked ME to come out to.
That's right, the redneck W-loving chainsmoking beer drinking yokel who would have a pickup and a Confederate flag if he could afford it... she picked me to go first.
And that's when I had my own little crisis of conscience. My reasoning went like this.
1. Nobody's perfect - when I figured out that she was serious.
2. Sins of the flesh are at the bottom end of God's list of priorities.
3. This is my friend, who has stood by me loyally for the past five years and will still be there for the next thousand if I needed her.
4. My friend is hurting and needs me to help her and just be there for her.
So, I gave her a big hug and told her that whatever would make her happy, as long as she was smart and safe about it, would make me happy. Privately, I don't think this choice will make her happy, mostly because she tends to throw her heart around like it doesn't matter, but if it does, great! I've been wrong before. If it doesn't, well, I've done stupider things in the name of love.
So, whatever happens, at least I learned to be a better person. I didn't "pass by on the other side" like the Levite or the priest.
And I did and do worry about the suicide thing. It is very much a concern for me. I do not want to be found wanting as a friend, just because of somebody's sexual choices.
CZAR
Edited to add: Not a parent quite yet, just expecting in a few months.