How to help explain...

Hi. I need some help, some resourses, and I'm having a hard time finding stuff about being gay not writen by evangelical christians. The story is this: I am a straight woman who has a lot of gay friends. I have no problem with gayness, it's the exact same thing as hetrosexuality to me.

My childhood best friend was raised in a strict catholic family, and has never had my open mind about these sorts of things. But a few months ago her big brother was outed in the worst possible way I can imagine: his wife got a hold of pictures of him with other men. Now his whole family has practically shunned him.

But my old friend--who knows a thing or two about being the black sheep--wants to try to understand. When she mentioned it to me, I offered to find her some resources. But after talking to her, I realize that this is going to take more than just a screening of "Get Real" to help her. She is totally grossed out by the idea of two guys together. She doesn't want to be, I can tell, but this is something she's never had to think about before. SHe's trying to learn, but how do you teach someone who's afraid of the subject matter?

Plus, most of the paphlets and stuff you see PFLAG putting out don't deal with how to deal with your big brother after you've seen photographs of him being intimate with several men. And are afraid to ask him for more information.

Any thoughts?

 

first off I feel sorry for the guy

as to her fear of the subject matter your best bet would be to open her eyes up slowly as to not over whelm her you know her better than anyone else here so the only thing to say is think of her personality and what her reactions to things would be and base how you would do this around the fact they she is still very sensitive to the subject of her bother being gay


AND OFCOURSE IF SHE REALLY WANTS TO HELP HIM MAKE SURE SHE OPENLY SUPORTS HIM THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP BOTH OF THEM

 

I know, I feel terrible for him. I mean, I've known this guy since I was six! He can't even see his kids right now from what I've heard.

As for supporting him, I didn't ask her if she was directly, but she's still talking to him, so I get the feeling that she is. She's never had a mean bone in her body, so I can't see her doing anything to hurt him--at least not on purpose.

It's such a mess.