You're a good dad, Tillman. I remember when my teenage boy came out to me and his mom as pansexual during a family therapy session about a year ago. It was really important to him and we could feel his anxiety. Both his mom and I said, 'Okay, cool', and that was that. I had to look up what the fuck that even was. I guess he expected it to be some big deal, and was surprised when it was truly a non-issue. My boy and I were always pointing out attractive women to each other, so I asked him, "why haven't you been pointing out attractive dudes?" He said that he thought that I wouldn't understand, especially since I casually use the term 'gay' and 'fag' derogatorily, even among my gay friends. Now, I point out good looking dudes and we have fun with it, "Check out that dude, he's just dreamy!" My kid will elbow me and smile. I'm really proud of him that he's brave enough to be who he truly is, even in the face of getting picked on from inner-city kids he interacts with. I think it helps that he's 6'2 and a muscular 200 pounds
The suburban kids seem to have much less of a problem with it, it is a good time in history for him. He had a close, platonic guy friend that was moving out of state recently that admitted that he really loved my kid and had always been attracted to him. They ended up making out a little as they said their goodbyes. I told him that I thought that was a nice way to end the relationship...