Especially when you’re not sure how your friends and family will respond, coming out can be hard. Everyone does it in their own way. Zach Gibson last week came out on Facebook last week, and got this awesome letter back from his mom.
Zach,
I was surprised by your facebook post where you came out. I want you to know that I love you unconditionally. I love you with my actions, not just my words. I’m so proud of you. You are the bravest person I know. I’ll fight for you always. Your sexual orientation does not define you. You are still the boy who forever won my heart. The only thing that concerns me is the number of empty soda cups and tea bottles in your room. Throw them away before ants come inside.
I love you always-
Mom
On Facebook, Zach’s mom posted a photo of the letter, saying, “I didn’t get to talk to him before I left for work today, so I left this on his bedroom door.”
It got picked up by the Facebook pages of Have A Gay Day, the NoH8 Campaign, and George Takei, so of course it went viral.
On the NoH8 campaign’s page, Zach writes:
I’m Zach, the one this is addressed too. When I came out last week, I never expected this much support. I knew my mom would be fine with it, but I never expected this letter and I never expected this many people to spread it around. This means so much.
And his mom chimed in too:
I’m Zach’s mother, and it was brave for him to come out on his terms the way HE wanted. And he put it right out there for everyone to see at once. That seems pretty brave to me.
On her own Facebook page, Zach’s mom adds:
Thank you so much, everyone! Zach and I are incredibly overwhelmed by all of the support from complete strangers!
People have commented that he should have told me before posting on Facebook. I respect his right to come out the way he chooses.
The complaint I feel is most important to address is the one that it should have said “soda bottles and tea cups.” They were cups from fountain sodas and bottles from bottled tea from the gas station. 😀
Zach and his mom are awesome! Congrats to you both!