Zach Gibson, from Union, Missouri in the US, decided to announce he was bisexual via Facebook and needn’t have worried as his mother’s response was touching and comical.
Michelle Conway McClain wrote in a letter: “Zach, I was surprised by your Facebook post where you came out. I want you to know I love you unconditionally.
“I love you with my actions, not just my words. You are the bravest person I know. I’ll fight for you always. Your sexual orientation does not define you.”
Zach’s mom lightened the tone in the letter by reminding him to tidy his room.
“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 the ants come inside. I love you always, Mom.”
Michelle thanked people for their positive reactions to the letter after it was posted on the Gay Day Facebook page.
“Thank you so much everyone. Zach and I are completely overwhelmed by all the support from complete strangers.”
And she was quick to defend her son’s choice to come out via a Facebook post.
“People have commented that he should have told me before posting it on Facebook. I respect his right to come out the way he chooses.”
Michelle’s letter echo’s that of one that went viral in March.
A dad wrote a letter to his son Nate after overhearing a conversation of Nate’s plans to come out.
The father wrote: “I overheard your conversation with Mike last night about your plans to come out to me.”
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And, like Michelle, Nate’s dad added some light humor to his letter.
“The only thing I need you to plan is to bring home OJ and bread after class. We are out, like you now. I’ve known you were gay since you were six, I’ve loved you since you were born.”
Nate’s father’s letter ends: “P.S Your mom and I think you and mike make a cute couple.”
The letter was posted on the Facebook page of anti-homophobia organisation FCKH8.com and people posted comments such as ‘if only all parents were so loving’.