Your parents may be thrilled for you when you announce that you’re marrying a person of the same gender, but keep in mind that some parents will freak out. I’ve seen my share of both situations and have talked with numerous couples for whom the parental reaction is a big stressor. One of my clients related:
My mom seemed to be really trying to prepare us for the possibility that my Dad wouldn’t be coming to the wedding. He didn’t talk about it and didn’t acknowledge it at all while we were there this weekend, and when she tries to make plans he says he doesn’t want to talk about it. My take on it is that we will have a beautiful, memorable wedding with or without him, and I’m going to put all my focus and energy into enjoying the rest of our planning and getting excited for the big day.
But this isn’t a chapter about coming out to your parents or dealing with their acceptance or rejection. Chances are you’ve already done that. I’m not here to talk about religion or politics. I’m here to talk about getting your parents excited for your gay wedding!
Some parents have a hard time with the idea of gay marriage, even if they support your relationship. To some, a gay marriage may not seem real because it may not be sanctioned in the state where they live. And if you’re like Jen and I, and some of our clients, the relationship may have been a whirlwind one and the engagement may have come fairly quickly.
Whatever the case, the question is, how do you get your parents excited about your gay wedding? In the coming posts, I'll take you through some helpful hints that really work with your parents!
