QUESTION: I just recently have been really attracted to women, but my mom and dad say it is against God's will. What can I do to convince them that they can't change me?

~ Sad At Home

ANSWER: It is not easy to convince someone that their religious beliefs may be wrong, but with a lot of patience, a great deal of love and factual information on the subject, it can be done.

First, you need to get information together to present to your parents. I suggest you start at SoulForce. Their mission statement is very direct and simple - "Soulforce is an interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people." Soulforce offers a great deal of information - well researched, factual information - that can be used to educate individuals away from their spiritual bigotry.

Next stop is PFLAG. Their mission statement is quite inspiring and one that they actually live up to - PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

It will take time for your parents to adjust to this new information. Your coming out to them changed all of the dreams and expectations they held for you. Give them the information to learn, the time to adjust, and as much patience as possible.