Hugs to you and #1, FMF. You're a great mom! And take MsG's advice and pre-enroll him so he does get there eventually. More hugs for all of you.

Wow...I can't imagine having to live like that, as my mom and I are quite close to each other. That and my dad's a pain a lot of the time, he's nothing like your ex. Thank god:D

And I am happy to here he's come out, at least to you and his close family (I presume his siblings know now). Though I can understand the pain and confusion he's going through right now after making such a declaration if you're from a Bible Belt town. I grew up in a town that's very white, very conservative and probably not that open to homosexuality. Or at least that's how I perceive things, anyway.

Still...please express my feelings of support and hope to #1. I am going through a rough patch at school myself due to personal issues and I want him to know that he's not alone, even if our personal reasons differ:)

BEB

FMF- have him sign up for classes next fall. Most colleges will let you pre-register. Then he can have his semester off and still have the deadline of going back. I'm glad he was able to tell you and got such love an acceptance( though I'd expect nothing else from you) and sadly I'd suggest he avoid telling the slime mold of an ex until a nicely opportune moment like-he's been told by the doctor to avoid all strain or he'll die" 'cause if memory serves the wretched worm of evil is military and as a general rule ( no offense) they're less comfortable with homosexuality and I SERIOUSLY doubt the puss fill weasel has any tact at all and will mishandle the situation in his usual horrendous fashion. HUGS and HUGS to #1 too..oh and I know some really cute single guys if he's planning any ski vacations to Utah. Really sweet funny artist who just turned 20( former student) who is currently single

As a son who has many things I can't share with my mother I feel for #1. You're a great mother for accepting such a thing. Hugs to FMF from grateful sons.

FMF, do you know anyone - older AND trusted implicitly - who is gay?

This EXACT same thing happened to someone in my husband's family, living in rural Kansas. Gay son felt isolated and alone. A close friend of the mother's (also gay) felt bad for son and chaperoned him for a 24 hour trip to St Louis. Mother was skeptical but trusted her friend. For the first time, her son saw gay people together - in a nightclub, out on the streets, and his whole outlook changed.
He realized it is ok to be gay, and he just happens to live in an area with few of them- and that won't be forever. Maybe your son just needs to see the positive side of his life, not the negative.
I don't know if this helps, but seeing people living their lives openly gay might be what he needs.