I know a family that experienced the same set of circumstances. It was devastating to them, but they never quit giving support to their children - and ALWAYS made sure the ‘children’ knew they were loved by their parents.
The father was a college basketball and football coach. His son wanted to take ballet lessons at age five. The mother was a homemaker who loved cooking, baking, organizing, decorating, making the home a sanctuary for her family. The daughter wanted only major sports - tennis, soccer, football, and any extreme competition.
Of course they regretted not having grandchildren - but never stopped loving their kids.
It is precisely their love for their children that makes such a situation so difficult for parents. It is very hard to see a loved one follow a self-destructive course, whether it be homosexuality, alcoholism, or drug addiction.
Those environmental factors in homosexuality begin working early on.
Thumbnail psychic sketch:
Coach Dad was rarely home because of his heavy practice and game schedule. Son became alienated at a very early age, is more sensitive and stubborn than sis and began to identify with his mother. He seeks men to fill the void felt from the missing father/son void.
Sister is just a tad smarter and more compliant than her brother and recognized early that the best way to get and keep daddy’s attention was to emulate him by playing sports.
Wonder what type of interactions Uncle Gay had with them when they were young?
Love is unconditional, approval is not, and shouldn’t be.