Mom lists the dos and don'ts of reacting to someone coming out. It should be mandatory reading.

When Angel Cox-Colbert saw how people reacted to her daughter's friend coming out, she couldn't believe people could be so insensitive. The reaction to his incredibly vulnerable Facebook post was less than ideal and although most of the backlash didn't come across as spiteful at first glance, the underlying emotion was clear: This is wrong is God's eyes. Since people clearly seemed to lack a guide on how to be respectful of each others' identities, Cox-Colbert took it upon herself to list out the dos and don'ts of how to react when someone comes out. 

Sharing her incredibly powerful 'guide to being a decent human being' on Facebook a couple of years ago, Cox-Colbert wrote: My daughter has a friend who has come out as gay. She has told me some of the backlash she has seen on his FB wall because of it. Here’s a few do’s and don’ts to be a better human being. Don't: Don’t say “I don’t agree with or condone that lifestyle” when someone comes out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer. They’re not asking for your permission. They are simply sharing a little bit of themselves to you. Respect that.

Do: Do say, "ok" when you find you can’t be supportive, she continued. Don't: Don't bring up religion. Do you REALLY think in this day and age this person hasn’t heard just how much God hates homosexuality? Really? Seriously, really?! I guarantee I can find things in the Bible that doesn’t coincide with YOUR life just as easily. Just don’t be THAT person. Besides, you also shouldn’t assume everyone believes in the same things as you. Do: Do say, “ok” when you find you can’t be supportive.

Cox-Colbert concluded her post by addressing people who have had to face judgment and discrimination for their sexuality. To my friends, family, any of my children’s friends, or a complete stranger for that matter: if you’re gay, lesbian, transgender, or queer, I got you. You’re safe with me. You’re supported. You’re loved, she wrote. Speaking to LGBTQ Nation about what motivated her to pen the post, she said: "I read the thread of his post. No one was threatening or aggressive. It was a lot of religious rhetoric which is aggressive in a 'nice' way. My heart sank and blood boiled with each comment."

Her post struck a chord with members of the LGBTQIAP+ community who'd never found acceptance from their loved ones and parents of queer youth who appreciated Cox-Colbert's support. Kudos to you, Angel!!! You have the correct name for sure!! As the mom a gay young man, who came out some time ago, I too have accepted - not "tolerated" our children and have advocated for the entire community -- today, during Pride Month, and every other day of the year -- our LGBTQ+ children need to know that there is "family" out there who love and support them for who they are and are proud of them!!! Keep up the great work, Angel, commented Judy Myers Gaver.

Another Facebook user, Tiffany Johnson, commented: Thanks for putting this post out there. I am 40yrs old I haven't been in a relationship in over a decade because my parents hate me for being gay and they bring up the Bible all the time mostly my mom I have never felt that it was okay to be into a relationship even though that's the one thing I want is just so tiring and I just want to quit being hated by my parents. So it's nice to read a post like this that lets me know that it's okay for me to be a happy lesbian.