This Sat and Sun is Denver's 35th annual Pridefest

http://glbtcolorado.org/r...ntentId=16

This year, both my 25 year old son and 19 year old daughter "officially'' came out.

It was a bit bumpy at first, but the kids (5 of our 6) want the whole family to go to Pridefst together. So we are! I am excited, but they are REALLY excited. My 4 daugthers are putting their rainbow attire together as we speak. They dragged my husband to Hobby Lobby for all the little details. My husband is actually enjoying all this. I couldn't be more happy about this. This might be the most memorable Father's Day ever.

[Edited 6/18/10 18:52pm]

VIDEO WITH PICTURES FROM PRIDEFEST! ->

http://www.youtube.com/wa...J9nc2vi8u0

[Edited 6/20/10 15:42pm]

[Edited 6/20/10 15:48pm]

Good for you! I hope yall have a GREAT time.

I loveeeeee Pride Parade/Festivals!

How beautiful. I am so happy for your family.

that's so beautiful

everyone gay or straight should be lucky enough to have a family as wonderful and supportive as yours.

cborgman said:

that's so beautiful

everyone gay or straight should be lucky enough to have a family as wonderful and supportive as yours.

Someone said to me recently, what if your only child turns out to be gay?

Seems like the silliest question in the world to me.

I will love him no matter what his sexual preferences are.

Have fun at the Pridefest. I went to one in St. Pete FL about 10 yrs ago. It was a lot of fun!

Everyone should be so lucky as to have such a supportive family.

Have fun!

I havent been to a pride parade in ages

MrsMdiver said:

cborgman said:

that's so beautiful

everyone gay or straight should be lucky enough to have a family as wonderful and supportive as yours.

Someone said to me recently, what if your only child turns out to be gay?

Seems like the silliest question in the world to me.

I will love him no matter what his sexual preferences are.

Have fun at the Pridefest. I went to one in St. Pete FL about 10 yrs ago. It was a lot of fun!

But to many people it matters.

Have a great time at the pridefest !

Have fun! Will there be pics. I am curious about how the kids 'tuned' their father!

HamsterHuey said:

Have fun! Will there be pics. I am curious about how the kids 'tuned' their father!

My husband and I are very open minded people. I am not gonna lie though. With the realization for each of the 2 two kids, there was some ackwardness. We figured it out way before either one of them were ready to admit it. My husband's first reaction was to not talk about it at all.

Part of the problem was that our daughter's best friend was spending the night at our house a lot, and if this was her girlfriend, that would be totally inappropriate in our house at her girlfriend's age. My husband was pissed that her not being completely truthful put us in bad psoition. I was much more takien off guard by her being gay. She is beautiful and very girly, and was not dating.

We had been suspicious of our oldest son for almost 10 years. He was very private about details of his life. He was getting older and had never brought anyone home to meet the family. I wanted him and whoever he loved to be a part of our family. Just before Easter he started talkinh about a friend and brouught him for brunch. He still has not said to myself or my husband that this is his boyfriend, but is more open about what he says to his sisters. His boyfriend is very sweet and celebrated Easter with our family, and the 2 of them stay overnight at the house occasionally. I am thrilled that he is able to share his life with us now.

Over the past 6 months the kids (the straight kids) have been slowly working on dad. They just talk a alot about issues, news stories, friends, or events dealing with the gay and lesbian community. The conversation became easier and easier to have. They asked us to go to Pridefest and my husband was genuinely excited. I think that spending this Father's Day in particular, giving special focus to our children's new openess to who they are is very special. The kids now feel the love and support and freedom.

There is some moments when my husband and talk about how we hope the kids have their own children. Your children having children is a big deal. But we will be just as thrilled if they do, adopt, or decide not to have kids at all.

Sorry for writing so much. I am always on line, have my own blog, lots of friends, and I am very open with people about my life. Except with this subject up until now. I want to be a proud mother of Gay children, but it had been so ackward up until now. I want to share with everyone, but this is my kid's life and I don't want to push their business out there unless they are ok with that. I still am waiting for the moment at work when the time presents itself to tell my friends.. Most will be OK with it, but you knw not everyone will be. I'd rather get it over with. I feel like i am in a transition period.

I always knew that the org would be the best place for me talk openly without worrying about negative reactions.

rnljs said:

HamsterHuey said:

Have fun! Will there be pics. I am curious about how the kids 'tuned' their father!

My husband and I are very open minded people. I am not gonna lie though. With the realization for each of the 2 two kids, there was some ackwardness. We figured it out way before either one of them were ready to admit it. My husband's first reaction was to not talk about it at all.

Part of the problem was that our daughter's best friend was spending the night at our house a lot, and if this was her girlfriend, that would be totally inappropriate in our house at her girlfriend's age. My husband was pissed that her not being completely truthful put us in bad psoition. I was much more takien off guard by her being gay. She is beautiful and very girly, and was not dating.

We had been suspicious of our oldest son for almost 10 years. He was very private about details of his life. He was getting older and had never brought anyone home to meet the family. I wanted him and whoever he loved to be a part of our family. Just before Easter he started talkinh about a friend and brouught him for brunch. He still has not said to myself or my husband that this is his boyfriend, but is more open about what he says to his sisters. His boyfriend is very sweet and celebrated Easter with our family, and the 2 of them stay overnight at the house occasionally. I am thrilled that he is able to share his life with us now.

Over the past 6 months the kids (the straight kids) have been slowly working on dad. They just talk a alot about issues, news stories, friends, or events dealing with the gay and lesbian community. The conversation became easier and easier to have. They asked us to go to Pridefest and my husband was genuinely excited. I think that spending this Father's Day in particular, giving special focus to our children's new openess to who they are is very special. The kids now feel the love and support and freedom.

There is some moments when my husband and talk about how we hope the kids have their own children. Your children having children is a big deal. But we will be just as thrilled if they do, adopt, or decide not to have kids at all.

Sorry for writing so much. I am always on line, have my own blog, lots of friends, and I am very open with people about my life. Except with this subject up until now. I want to be a proud mother of Gay children, but it had been so ackward up until now. I want to share with everyone, but this is my kid's life and I don't want to push their business out there unless they are ok with that. I still am waiting for the moment at work when the time presents itself to tell my friends.. Most will be OK with it, but you knw not everyone will be. I'd rather get it over with. I feel like i am in a transition period.

I always knew that the org would be the best place for me talk openly without worrying about negative reactions.

I suppose your husband has only the hairstyle but is no rastaman? Otherwise he might have a problem with a child being gay or maybe I am wrong and it is very different in the USA hopefully.

Serious said:

rnljs said:

My husband and I are very open minded people. I am not gonna lie though. With the realization for each of the 2 two kids, there was some ackwardness. We figured it out way before either one of them were ready to admit it. My husband's first reaction was to not talk about it at all.

Part of the problem was that our daughter's best friend was spending the night at our house a lot, and if this was her girlfriend, that would be totally inappropriate in our house at her girlfriend's age. My husband was pissed that her not being completely truthful put us in bad psoition. I was much more takien off guard by her being gay. She is beautiful and very girly, and was not dating.

We had been suspicious of our oldest son for almost 10 years. He was very private about details of his life. He was getting older and had never brought anyone home to meet the family. I wanted him and whoever he loved to be a part of our family. Just before Easter he started talkinh about a friend and brouught him for brunch. He still has not said to myself or my husband that this is his boyfriend, but is more open about what he says to his sisters. His boyfriend is very sweet and celebrated Easter with our family, and the 2 of them stay overnight at the house occasionally. I am thrilled that he is able to share his life with us now.

Over the past 6 months the kids (the straight kids) have been slowly working on dad. They just talk a alot about issues, news stories, friends, or events dealing with the gay and lesbian community. The conversation became easier and easier to have. They asked us to go to Pridefest and my husband was genuinely excited. I think that spending this Father's Day in particular, giving special focus to our children's new openess to who they are is very special. The kids now feel the love and support and freedom.

There is some moments when my husband and talk about how we hope the kids have their own children. Your children having children is a big deal. But we will be just as thrilled if they do, adopt, or decide not to have kids at all.

Sorry for writing so much. I am always on line, have my own blog, lots of friends, and I am very open with people about my life. Except with this subject up until now. I want to be a proud mother of Gay children, but it had been so ackward up until now. I want to share with everyone, but this is my kid's life and I don't want to push their business out there unless they are ok with that. I still am waiting for the moment at work when the time presents itself to tell my friends.. Most will be OK with it, but you knw not everyone will be. I'd rather get it over with. I feel like i am in a transition period.

I always knew that the org would be the best place for me talk openly without worrying about negative reactions.

I suppose your husband has only the hairstyle but is no rastaman? Otherwise he might have a problem with a child being gay or maybe I am wrong and it is very different in the USA hopefully.

Just the hairstyle. He is from the exotic state of Kansas.LOL

rnljs said:

HamsterHuey said:

Have fun! Will there be pics. I am curious about how the kids 'tuned' their father!

My husband and I are very open minded people. I am not gonna lie though. With the realization for each of the 2 two kids, there was some ackwardness. We figured it out way before either one of them were ready to admit it. My husband's first reaction was to not talk about it at all.

Part of the problem was that our daughter's best friend was spending the night at our house a lot, and if this was her girlfriend, that would be totally inappropriate in our house at her girlfriend's age. My husband was pissed that her not being completely truthful put us in bad psoition. I was much more takien off guard by her being gay. She is beautiful and very girly, and was not dating.

We had been suspicious of our oldest son for almost 10 years. He was very private about details of his life. He was getting older and had never brought anyone home to meet the family. I wanted him and whoever he loved to be a part of our family. Just before Easter he started talkinh about a friend and brouught him for brunch. He still has not said to myself or my husband that this is his boyfriend, but is more open about what he says to his sisters. His boyfriend is very sweet and celebrated Easter with our family, and the 2 of them stay overnight at the house occasionally. I am thrilled that he is able to share his life with us now.

Over the past 6 months the kids (the straight kids) have been slowly working on dad. They just talk a alot about issues, news stories, friends, or events dealing with the gay and lesbian community. The conversation became easier and easier to have. They asked us to go to Pridefest and my husband was genuinely excited. I think that spending this Father's Day in particular, giving special focus to our children's new openess to who they are is very special. The kids now feel the love and support and freedom.

There is some moments when my husband and talk about how we hope the kids have their own children. Your children having children is a big deal. But we will be just as thrilled if they do, adopt, or decide not to have kids at all.

Sorry for writing so much. I am always on line, have my own blog, lots of friends, and I am very open with people about my life. Except with this subject up until now. I want to be a proud mother of Gay children, but it had been so ackward up until now. I want to share with everyone, but this is my kid's life and I don't want to push their business out there unless they are ok with that. I still am waiting for the moment at work when the time presents itself to tell my friends.. Most will be OK with it, but you knw not everyone will be. I'd rather get it over with. I feel like i am in a transition period.

I always knew that the org would be the best place for me talk openly without worrying about negative reactions.

okay, that made me tear up.

rnljs said:

Serious said:

I suppose your husband has only the hairstyle but is no rastaman? Otherwise he might have a problem with a child being gay or maybe I am wrong and it is very different in the USA hopefully.

Just the hairstyle. He is from the exotic state of Kansas.LOL

Okay. My bf is a rastaman (not just the hairstyle) and sadly he would have a problem if one of his daughters from a previous relationship was lesbian I am afraid .

rnljs said:

HamsterHuey said:

Have fun! Will there be pics. I am curious about how the kids 'tuned' their father!

My husband and I are very open minded people. I am not gonna lie though. With the realization for each of the 2 two kids, there was some ackwardness. We figured it out way before either one of them were ready to admit it. My husband's first reaction was to not talk about it at all.

Part of the problem was that our daughter's best friend was spending the night at our house a lot, and if this was her girlfriend, that would be totally inappropriate in our house at her girlfriend's age. My husband was pissed that her not being completely truthful put us in bad psoition. I was much more takien off guard by her being gay. She is beautiful and very girly, and was not dating.

We had been suspicious of our oldest son for almost 10 years. He was very private about details of his life. He was getting older and had never brought anyone home to meet the family. I wanted him and whoever he loved to be a part of our family. Just before Easter he started talkinh about a friend and brouught him for brunch. He still has not said to myself or my husband that this is his boyfriend, but is more open about what he says to his sisters. His boyfriend is very sweet and celebrated Easter with our family, and the 2 of them stay overnight at the house occasionally. I am thrilled that he is able to share his life with us now.

Over the past 6 months the kids (the straight kids) have been slowly working on dad. They just talk a alot about issues, news stories, friends, or events dealing with the gay and lesbian community. The conversation became easier and easier to have. They asked us to go to Pridefest and my husband was genuinely excited. I think that spending this Father's Day in particular, giving special focus to our children's new openess to who they are is very special. The kids now feel the love and support and freedom.

There is some moments when my husband and talk about how we hope the kids have their own children. Your children having children is a big deal. But we will be just as thrilled if they do, adopt, or decide not to have kids at all.

Sorry for writing so much. I am always on line, have my own blog, lots of friends, and I am very open with people about my life. Except with this subject up until now. I want to be a proud mother of Gay children, but it had been so ackward up until now. I want to share with everyone, but this is my kid's life and I don't want to push their business out there unless they are ok with that. I still am waiting for the moment at work when the time presents itself to tell my friends.. Most will be OK with it, but you knw not everyone will be. I'd rather get it over with. I feel like i am in a transition period.

I always knew that the org would be the best place for me talk openly without worrying about negative reactions.

That is serioulsy cool. I'm happy for your kids and you parents that you haven't let this destroy your relationships with each other.

I always find it painfully ironic that it is those that are supposed to love you unconditionally that so often are the only ones unable to accept you.

Enjoy 'pridefest'

Serious said:

rnljs said:

Just the hairstyle. He is from the exotic state of Kansas.LOL

Okay. My bf is a rastaman (not just the hairstyle) and sadly he would have a problem if one of his daughters from a previous relationship was lesbian I am afraid .

yup - that part of the world is still horribly homphobic.

Don't mind that it was hard to talk about. People raise kids with a certain expectation and when that expectation is shattered, you cannot help but worry about them. When they come out it can come as a big surprise or it's something that was obvious. Thing is, when it comes unexpected, parents have to come out too. They have to get used to it, adjust their expectations for their kids.

And I am not saying adjusting is bad or good, but everybody needs to have some time to get used to a new situation. And I must admit that reading your thread made me swell up with pride for you, even though I do not know you; but parents stepping out WITH their kids are amazing. It doesn't matter how you got there; the fact you do makes you the best parent you can be.

vivid said:

Serious said:

Okay. My bf is a rastaman (not just the hairstyle) and sadly he would have a problem if one of his daughters from a previous relationship was lesbian I am afraid .

yup - that part of the world is still horribly homphobic.

It is illegal in his country. I try to teach him, but it's hard to change his mind as pretty much everbody there thinks like him.

Serious said:

vivid said:

yup - that part of the world is still horribly homphobic.

It is illegal in his country. I try to teach him, but it's hard to change his mind as pretty much everbody there thinks like him.

Yeah, my dad was from a small Island in the Indian Ocean and it took him 15 years to get his head round it.

But he'd still never come on a pride march

vivid said:

Serious said:

It is illegal in his country. I try to teach him, but it's hard to change his mind as pretty much everbody there thinks like him.

Yeah, my dad was from a small Island in the Indian Ocean and it took him 15 years to get his head round it.

But he'd still never come on a pride march

15 years, so I have a long road ahead of me . And I guess I can give up hope too about a pride march .

He knows that my 2 best female friends are lesbian (but not a couple) and that a gay man and a gay couple live in my house. So if I can manage to get a visa for him he'd better open his eyes how nice these people are and that he has no right to judge them. Otherwise he's gonna be in trouble .

[Edited 6/19/10 14:35pm]

Serious said:

vivid said:

Yeah, my dad was from a small Island in the Indian Ocean and it took him 15 years to get his head round it.

But he'd still never come on a pride march

15 years, so I have a long road ahead of me . And I guess I can give up hope too about a pride march .

He knows that my 2 best female friends are lesbian (but not a couple) and that a gay man and a gay couple live in my house. So if I can manage to get a visa for him he'd better open his eyes how nice these people are and that he has no right to judge them. Otherwise he's gonna be in trouble .

[Edited 6/19/10 14:35pm]

you're not going to believe thiws - but just this minute somebody sent me this link on facebook - not beng rude, but you could show it to him :lol

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x976rg_a-message-for-homophobes_fun

I can't get it to link properly - but you can probably find it now.

[Edited 6/19/10 14:42pm]

[Edited 6/19/10 14:42pm]

[Edited 6/19/10 14:44pm]

[Edited 6/19/10 14:44pm]

vivid said:

Serious said:

15 years, so I have a long road ahead of me . And I guess I can give up hope too about a pride march .

He knows that my 2 best female friends are lesbian (but not a couple) and that a gay man and a gay couple live in my house. So if I can manage to get a visa for him he'd better open his eyes how nice these people are and that he has no right to judge them. Otherwise he's gonna be in trouble .

[Edited 6/19/10 14:35pm]

you're not going to believe thiws - but just this minute somebody sent me this link on facebook - not beng rude, but you could show it to him :lol

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x976rg_a-message-for-homophobes_fun

I can't get it to link properly - but you can probably find it now.

[Edited 6/19/10 14:42pm]

[Edited 6/19/10 14:42pm]

[Edited 6/19/10 14:44pm]

[Edited 6/19/10 14:44pm]

It's even from a German site.

I guess he would just laugh and tell me he has no problem with gays .

HamsterHuey said:

Don't mind that it was hard to talk about. People raise kids with a certain expectation and when that expectation is shattered, you cannot help but worry about them. When they come out it can come as a big surprise or it's something that was obvious. Thing is, when it comes unexpected, parents have to come out too. They have to get used to it, adjust their expectations for their kids.

And I am not saying adjusting is bad or good, but everybody needs to have some time to get used to a new situation. And I must admit that reading your thread made me swell up with pride for you, even though I do not know you; but parents stepping out WITH their kids are amazing. It doesn't matter how you got there; the fact you do makes you the best parent you can be.

We had the best time ever! Best festival we have been to in Downtown Denver. Such a fun and beautiful crowd, OK...maybe ALL of them weren't the traditional definition of beautiful. Some people should not wear those booty shorts. Link to video with pictures on the first post.

rnljs said:

We had the best time ever! Best festival we have been to in Downtown Denver. Such a fun and beautiful crowd, OK...maybe ALL of them weren't the traditional definition of beautiful. Some people should not wear those booty shorts. Link to video with pictures on the first post.

Glad you had ball - nice vid

rnljs said:

We had the best time ever! Best festival we have been to in Downtown Denver. Such a fun and beautiful crowd, OK...maybe ALL of them weren't the traditional definition of beautiful. Some people should not wear those booty shorts. Link to video with pictures on the first post.

cute vid. you guys should check in with the local pflag. i am sure they would love to let your entire family march together next time.

Nice video, thanks for posting .