Dear Abby: Son-in-law won't allow gay couple to stay the night

A gay couple's visit to their son-in-law's home was met with hostility, prompting them to reconsider attending family gatherings altogether. The son-in-law claimed he wouldn't want to explain his male partner sleeping in the same bed as his young daughters to them. This excuse raises concerns about the son-in-law's own biases and whether they are being used to justify exclusion.

Despite this, the couple chose not to attend their daughter's visit this year, opting instead to stay with other friends or even skip family gatherings altogether. While some readers have suggested avoiding confrontation with the son-in-law, others argue that fostering a strong relationship with all members of the extended family can help create change.

One reader sought advice on how to address her concerns about meeting someone she likes who is obese, while another struggled with feeling uncomfortable around a new wife at a social gathering due to her public displays of religiosity and affection. In both cases, experts advised tactful approaches that prioritize respect for differing perspectives and lifestyles.
 
I'm literally shook by this news 😱... like how can some people not accept their own child's partner? It's their kid, they should want them to be happy! And the excuse about his daughters is just not cool - it's not about explaining something weird, it's about showing love and respect for all family members. It's sad that this couple felt they had to reconsider attending gatherings 'cause of this toxic atmosphere. 🤝
 
I'm like totally confused on this one 🤔. On the one hand, I think it's super messed up that a gay couple was made to feel uncomfortable just because their partner is male 😒. But then again, can't they just be honest with their family about who they are and not expect everyone to automatically be cool with it? It's like, if you're gonna exclude people from your life, own up to it instead of making some half-baked excuse 🙄.

And don't even get me started on the whole "you wouldn't want your daughters to see" thing... that's just a cop-out 😂. Like, if they can't handle their own kids growing up and seeing people who love them for who they are, maybe they should be reevaluating their parenting skills.

On a related note, I think it's really important to address our own biases and get comfortable with the idea that everyone's different 💖. But at the same time, can't we just take things one step at a time? Like, maybe you don't know someone well enough to feel super comfortable around them... but do you have to be a total jerk about it? 🤷‍♀️
 
I FEEL SO BAD FOR THE GAY COUPLE IN THIS SITUATION 🤕 THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILY AND BE HAPPY TOGETHER, BUT SOMEONE'S BIASES WON'T LET THEM BE. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO IMPOSE THEIR LIVES ON OTHERS OR ANYTHING. IT'S JUST ABOUT BEING RESPECTED AND ACCEPTED FOR WHO YOU ARE 💖

AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW AWKWARD THIS SITUATION MUST HAVE BEEN FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED? 😳 THE SON-IN-LAW IS PROBABLY FEELING GUILTY NOW, BUT HE COULD'VE JUST HAD AN OPEN CONVERSATION WITH HIS PARENTS AND Explained why they're uncomfortable. IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING 🤝
 
I'm so done with people using their own biases as an excuse to be all awkward and stuff... like, if they can't handle having a gay couple come over, maybe they shouldn't have invited them in the first place 🙄 . It's not the gay couple's fault that some people are too close-minded to accept others for who they are.

And omg, the obese thing... just be honest and say "hey, I've got health concerns" or something. Don't assume everyone has the same thoughts on it 😂 . And as for the religiosity thing... people do what makes 'em happy, no need to judge 🤗 .

I think the key is just being respectful and all about open minds 💡. Like, have a chat with your partner about their feelings and stuff, and then go from there. No need to force anyone's comfort zone 😊.
 
I totally get why the gay couple would wanna distance themselves from this situation... it's not exactly the most welcoming environment for everyone involved 🤷‍♀️. I mean, can you blame them for wanting to avoid awkward conversations or even outright hostility? At the end of the day, their feelings and well-being matter most.

And honestly, if someone's gonna make excuses about explaining their partner to their kids... that says a lot about where they're at in terms of acceptance 🤔. Maybe it's time for an open conversation about love being love, regardless of orientation or identity?

On a separate note, I totally feel you on avoiding confrontation with someone you don't click with. Sometimes it's better to just prioritize your own emotional safety and focus on nurturing relationships where everyone feels seen and respected 💕.
 
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