Gay teens sleepover
Should I Let My Attracted to both genders Teenager Have Sleepovers With Friends?
Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. This week we display our new Wednesday columnist, Jamilah Lemieux. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Email careandfeeding@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group.
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Dear Protect and Feeding,
What are parents of bisexual teens supposed to do about sleepovers? For my heterosexual kid, the rule is “no opposite-sex sleepovers,” and if I had a homosexual child, the rule would be “no same-sex sleepovers.” It seems very unfair to prohibit my pansexual teen from having sleepovers just because they take place to be attracted to both genders, but it
Dear Straight Talk: Our daughter is gay/bisexual. We have no problem with that. I have peruse your gay-straight sleepover columns, but they are focused on friendships. My gay/bi teen wants a sleepover with a straight friend whom she admits she also likes romantically. This friend, “Sally,” appears unsure of her sexuality (she has a lover but also seems to like our daughter). We can”t tell if Sally is “testing the waters” or just likes the extra attention. The dilemma is if we say no, we set up the possibility that our daughter will obscure future feelings just so she can have sleepovers. If we say yes, we may be assisting in a sexual experience too early for feeling well-being. I would never allow a straight girl and straight guy with attraction to hold a sleepover. Our gut says to say no. Your thoughts?
— Patricia
Taylor 14, Santa Rosa: I”m straight and comprehend who I am. A friend came out as same-sex attracted and we still sleep over. Nothing changed. But your situation is alternative. If I had a straight guy sleep over, and there was an attraction and achievable “readiness” by either of us, that would be inappropriate.
Matt, 16, Mission Everybody loves sleepovers, and Mason Brian Barclay is no exception, but the teenager, who identifies as homosexual, had a slight problem when he wanted to wait over at his friend’s house recently. His new BFF, Houston Shelton, was having a sleepover, but her parents have a strict no opposite-sex dictate, which meant that only girls were allowed. Not to be deterred however, Mason decided to document to Houston’s mom to make his case as to why he should be allowed to attend. “Hey Mrs. Shelton! This is Mason Brian Barclay, I am one of Houstons unused bestffriends. If she had people over on Friday, would I, a very homosexual male, be able to grab part in the sleepover.” How did Mrs Shelton respond? Scroll down to see the conversation for yourself, which Mason recently distributed on twitter. More info: Twitter The post Gay Teen Asks Friend’s Mom If He Can Come To Girls-Onl Jamilah is out today, so we’re publishing a few of her classic Care and Feeding letters. Have a question? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, What are parents of bisexual teens supposed to do about sleepovers? For my heterosexual kid, the rule is “no opposite-sex sleepovers,” and if I had a gay infant, the rule would be “no same-sex sleepovers.” It seems very unfair to prohibit my bisexual person teen from having sleepovers just because they happen to be attracted to both genders, but it also doesn’t seem fair that my other teens have to abide by these “no sleepovers with people whom you might need to have sex with” rules while the bisexual teen doesn’t. Help! —Proud Parent of Bi Teen Dear PPoBT, I want to first affirm your desire to support your child’s identity and your desire to be equitable in how household rules are created and enforced. Alas, equity is often elusive in a world that will give challenges to your bisexual teen that their siblings simply won’t have to face. This may be the rare occasion that this particular child experiences what
Gay Teen Asks Friend’s Mom If He Can Come To Girls-Only Sleepover And Her Response Wins The Internet
Mason Brian Barclay wanted to leave to his foremost friend Houston’s sleepover, but her parents only allowed girls
He decided to message Houston’s mom to ask her himself
Mason shared the exchange online and people were quick to comment
What Are the Rules for Sleepovers When Your Teen Is Bisexual?