new housemate,19, kicked out by grandma for being gay

[babydollhead]

My daughters friend came to live at our house. His grandmother, found his make-up and then kicked him out when he came out to her. I don't even know his last name, next of kin, the whole story, I just hugged him and said, "land here". I know there are people who have been stripped of love for being who they are. I know there are people who have been a safe house for others. I wonder if anyone has any advice.

[elleng]

1. Hug him for all of us.

Thank you.

[DesertFlower]

2. yes. hug him for me.

[MADem]

3. Grandma is ignorant. You are a lifesaver.

Maybe one day Grandma will figure it out, in the meantime it is so wonderful that your daughter's friend has a safe and loving place to call home.

[Skittles]

4. my advice to you is: stay awesome

yes indeed

[Ms. Toad]

5. You're doing just fine so far.

Tons of LGBT teens and young adults have at least one extra set of parents around - I call my biological child my 3rd child, since I had two we helped navigate the last few years of growing up when their birth homes got to tough.

Just providing a safe space is good. Listen if he wants to talk, provide a shoulder if he wants to cry, help financially if you can/are moved to. (The only thing we ever asked for the two we helped financially was that they pass it on to someone else, someday.) Both are reconciled with their biological families - they just needed some temporary space - and one, in particular, needed a mentor who had navigated college (her parents never graduated from high school).

[m-lekktor]

6. K & R !! nt

[cyberswede]

7. My family has a history of taking in those who need a place to land.

My mom's parents took in a foster son in the 1930s. He was later my godfather, and a dedicated Democrat, to boot.

My parents took in one of my dad's teen relatives in the 50s - he now says my dad saved his bacon by helping him get on the right path re: school, etc.

Two of my sisters have taken in their sons' classmates who needed a safe place to stay over the years. One of my other sisters took in a 2 y.o. nephew when his parents lost custody; she later adopted him, and now he's an awesome 14 y.o. with a bright future.

I don't have any advice, other than to be patient and understanding. You can make a big difference in someone's life by providing a safe place - kudos to you!

[babydollhead]

8. Thank you all.

We have a nonprofit here in Pittsburgh called PERSAD https://persadcenter.org/

they have good services for him. Their only stipulation is that he ask for help himself. I am hopeful for him.