A True Christian Mom Writes to Papabear

Dear Papabear,

I am not a furry, or homosexual, but my 17 year old son is. I accept him for who he is and we do not have any problems that I am aware of. I am writing to thank you for doing what you do. It breaks my heart to read about the issues these kids have to deal with and most of the time without the support that they should have. My family was raised to be Christian, the judge not lest ye be judged type. When my son came out about his orientation he was terrified by the stories that he heard online about being disowned and abandoned. Looking back now it was funny, he had been beating around the bush for 3 months. We all knew there was something bothering him but he wouldn't tell us. His grandmother had mentioned to me that she thought he might be gay and when he started acting up again I just came out and asked him. When he gasped "yes" I told him it was no big deal and went back to my game. He said it was the most anticlimactic moment of his life.

Anyway I wish I could put my arms around all the people who write to you and give them a big hug. I am so glad that you are here to tell them that there is someone who cares and accepts them for who they are not what they are. You are truly a blessing not only to the writers of these letters, but to me as well. 

Well my question is would I be welcomed to comment? I don't want to offend your readers who may think I'm intruding. I haven't experienced the problems that they have to deal with on the level that they have, but I have had to deal with rejection from both my friends and family. You have provided a wonderful forum for a select group of people to find acceptance, yet I don't meet the requirements. That's why I'm asking for your permission. I hope to hear from you when you have a moment. Thank you again and take care.

Dorothy Bogdan

* * *

Dear Dorothy,

Thank you so much for your lovely letter! You really made Papabear’s day! There have been a number of letters that I have received from readers who were concerned about talking openly with their religious families about being gay or furry or both, and, sadly, in most of those cases I have had to advise them to keep things under wraps until they were no longer dependent on those families for fear they might be tossed out of the house, homeless and penniless.

You, dear madam, on the other hand, are an outstanding representative of what Papabear calls a “true Christian,” as well as a model parent. You care about and love your son no matter what. Why this is so difficult for many parents, I just don’t know, and it makes me sad. I am printing your letter here as an example to all these narrow-minded families what family should be all about. 

God bless you and then some!

Now, as to your question of whether nonfurries can write to me. Yes, yes they can. Many of the letters I get are not really about furry issues, so you don’t necessarily have to be one. The reason I started the column and aimed it at the furry community was that I wanted them all to know there was a place they could safely go where they would not be hated for being furry (or gay, or for having kinks, or for being “weird” by society’s definition) because I was one of them. 

If you have something to talk about that will benefit my readers, then I will publish it and respond to it like any other letter. Furries, unlike many outside the community of furries, are an inclusive group. We welcome you, whether you are a furry or someone who is not a furry but is friendly to us.

Hugs and Big Bear Kisses,

Papabear