DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE fallen out with my older sister because she’s a narrow-minded bigot.
At a recent family party I was shocked by a homophobic comment she made.
For more advice from Dear Deidre
No issue is too small, too large or too embarrassing. Read our personal replies here.
- Dear Deidre on Mental Health
- Dear Deidre on Identity
- Dear Deidre on Debt and Money
- Dear Deidre on Work
- Dear Deidre on Health and Wellbeing
- Dear Deidre on Addiction
Since then, I’ve not been able to bring myself to speak to her.
I’m a woman of 56 and she’s 57. We used to be close but lately I can barely speak to her – because of her views.
We have a younger sister, aged 48, whose 15-year-old son has just come out as gay. That was no great surprise to me.
At the party, my older sister was very nice to our nephew’s face and supportive of his mum. But once they were out of earshot, she turned to me and said: “I blame her for turning him gay.”
She claimed it was because he’d been allowed to wear make-up and dance as a child. I was horrified at her ignorance.
Get in touch with Deidre
Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.
Send an email to [email protected]
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.
If she was a friend, I’d just stop speaking to her. But she’s my sister.
How do I make her see she’s wrong?
Most read in Dear Deidre
DEAR DEIDRE 
I'm bored of my lesbian lover and want to be exclusive with my husband again
My son stole my life savings of £45,000 to go on holiday to Spain
My girlfriend realised I had secret debt when we tried to get a mortgage
I'm getting hate for not letting my alcoholic brother live with me
DEIDRE SAYS: It is hard to change entrenched views. All you can do is tell her you find what she said offensive and unacceptable, and explain why she is wrong.
You could give her my support pack on sexuality to read. Perhaps – over time – by being around her nephew, she will become more understanding.
MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE
My son stole my life savings of £45,000 to go on holiday to Spain
Jude secretly meets up with his lover while his mum’s out of the house
Try to be civil, for everyone’s sake. But sometimes you have to accept that people can grow apart.
Contact familylives.org.uk for advice.
Source: Read Full Article
