Being gay isn't exactly a big deal these days—unless of course you're gay and your parents are still none the wiser. Kudos, then, to this dad for beating his teenage son to the punch, so to speak. According to an article in Huffington Post, the cool dad overheard his son on the phone. Rather than wait for the jumping-out-of-the-closet moment, he left his son a note, reassuring him that there was no need for a grand declaration and nothing to fear.
"I've known you were gay since you were six," the father wrote. "I've loved you since you were born." And as a (perhaps cringeworthy P.S.) "Your mom and I think you and Mike make a cute couple."
If only more parents would do this. Gay or straight, our kids need to know that they are loved unconditionally. Trusting that love is implicitly understood doesn't cut it.
This story is a nice reversal from kids having to take the leap of faith, hoping their parents will accept their sexuality. It worked wonders for this teen, who gave her parents a pun-tastic letter and sweetener.
LGBT rights have come a long way. Here in Canada same-sex partners can marry and have children. Just as they can divorce and face custody battles!
Still, we all have ideals of what our children will grow up to be. Fess up: would you be disheartened if your child came out as homosexual?
Health Canada has recalled the above pyjamas sold under the brand name "Coquine" (CA 03599 or CA 42346) after testing revealed the sleepwear does not meet flammability requirements under Canadian law.
Loose-fitting cotton material poses a flammability risk.
There have been no incidents or injuries reported in relation to this sleepwear.
From September 2011 to February 2013, approximately 1,709 sets of pyjamas were sold at L'Aubainerie and other Canadian retailers.
Guess who won't be celebrating this St. Paddy's Day any time soon? The Paddies themselves. According to a recent survey by Ancestry.ca, the majority of Irish Canadians aren't impressed with the standard fare of Irish culture served up on March 17.
Even though more than a quarter of all Canadians—that's nine million peeps—claim some form of Irish heritage. But 60 per cent of us don't partake in the festivities. It seems green beer, shamrocks, and leprechauns just don't cut it with the bona fide Irish, who feel Canada hasn't got a clue when it comes to real Irish culture.
I concur. It's something of a pet peeve with my Belfast-born husband. A few tidbits that will make him smile:
So there you have it. It's not all about the Guinness. In fact, even as far as beer goes, you might look a little closer to home for the Irish connection: John Kinder Labatt. Labatt—as in Blue—was born in Mountmellick, squat in the middle of Ireland, before immigrating to Ontario where he acquired a brewery. The rest is modern history...
“Whether unheralded workers, children of Irish immigrants or famous Irish descendants that went on to promote Canada on the international stage, the Irish have influenced almost every part of Canadian culture,” said Ancestry's family history expert, Lesley Anderson. “Given the often times difficult circumstances under which they left Ireland and the sometimes discriminatory ways in which they were treated upon arrival, it truly is amazing that Irish culture has survived and thrived so strongly.”
In Ireland, St Patrick's Days isn't the 'pissfest' it is in North America. According to an Irish ex-pat writing on Huffington Post: "Rather than being a phoney celebration of all things green, it was a religious celebration of our most famous patron saint."
So do something authentically Irish this St. Paddy's and visit Ancestry.ca/canadianirish for a 14-day free trial to see how many fifths or fourths Irish you are.
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