How do I navigate a relationship with my difficult parents who do not support my gay son?

Ask Dr. Julie Hanks

In this episode, I talk with a mother and answer the question “How do I navigate a relationship with my difficult parents who do not support my gay son?” This mother grew up in a home where individuality was discouraged, and she often felt attacked for sharing opinions that differed from her parents’. Their traditional Christian views are unsupportive of her son, and she worries for what they will say that may make him feel unloved and invalidated. At the same time, however, she feels immense guilt for opposing her parents in any way.

During our time together, I ask this mother what she longs to hear from her parents. She tells me she wishes to have her parents accept her, hear her, see her, and support her in making her own choices. She shares experiences from her life that detail how she has worked tirelessly to get this validation from them but has not received it.

I encourage this mother to ask her parents to listen to her and validate her experience. It’s possible her parents don’t know how to respond in a healthy way, so I ask if she could give her parents the words that she wants to hear from them. I also urge her to find adults who can nurture her in this stage of life.

Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session.

Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks, browse DJH merch, and work with me through joining DJH membership at

Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session.
Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and work with me through joining DJH membership at drjuliehanks.com. For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com.