Dad’s Advice to His Gay Son

StoryCorps launched this video about a dad’s advice to his gay son. While growing up on a dairy farm in rural Dry Creek during the 1950s, Patrick Haggerty realized he was gay when he was a teenager. He thought he hid it well. Here is where a teenage boy learned an important lesson about self-acceptance.

One day while on his way to an assembly, his brother dropped him off and immediately called his dad to come and talk to him. “Dad, I think you better get up there,” his brother said. “This is not going to look good.” After his performance at a school assembly, Pat learned that his father could see him much more clearly than he realized.

He gave his son this advice:

“Now, I’m gonna tell you something today, and you might not know what to think of it now, but you’re gonna remember when you’re a full-grown man: Don’t sneak. Because if you sneak, like you did today, it means you think you’re doing the wrong thing. And if you run around spending your whole life thinking that you’re doing the wrong thing, then you’ll ruin your immortal soul.“

Everyone’s story is different! I love the message in this one. Whether you are straight or gay this is some great advice! Don’t sneak! Be who you are and be proud!