An Australian mother is being praised for a conversation she had with her young children about being gay. Emmaline Carrol Southwell, 41, was in the car with two of her three Generation Alpha kids, Levi, 8, and Violet, 5, when the subject of coming out as LGBTQ came up.
The mother began recording their conversation as she tried to explain to the kids that not every parent is OK with their children loving who they want and that those children usually need to make an announcement to their families revealing that they are not heterosexual. The kids were totally shocked.
Emmaline shared the teaching moment on her TikTok page, @emmalinecs, where it's been viewed 2.3 million times. The children's reactions warmed the hearts of many who hope that younger generations will be more open-minded and accepting of others.
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The kids didn't understand the concept of 'coming out.'
Emmaline explains to her kids that for some cultures, religions, and families, being gay simply isn't allowed. Her kids were positively outraged by this and asked why. Their mother said that coming out is a term used for people who have to announce their sexuality.
"So there is the term 'coming out,' and it applies to people that need to come out to their families to let them know 'I'm gay,'" Emmaline says. "But why do they have to tell them?" Levi asks, clearly confused.
Emmaline addresses her kids' concerns.
She tells them their questions are valid and says, "Hopefully, we will get to a point where people don't have to do that, but sadly, a lot of people still have to do that, and it still causes a lot of people pain."
The children continue to be upset by the thought of having to come out, and their mother tells them that, hopefully, most parents will rethink their beliefs and accept their children once they open up about their sexuality.
There will be no coming out in the Southwell home.
Emmaline asks the kids if anyone will be coming out in her house, and they shout, "No!" When she asks why they won't be coming out, Levi says, "Because you're good parents, and you can love whoever you want."
"That's it," Emmaline says. "I don't require any formal announcement. You just love who you want to love."
TikTokers loved the mother’s words.
Members of the LGBTQ community were moved by the family's conversation.
One person wrote: "As someone who had a traumatic 'coming out' I'm bawling. This video made my day."
"I'm 25 & gay, I've never heard anyone communicate it this way & im obsessed," another commented. "To not feel any trepidation, fear, shame etc to announce a partner is such growth as a society."
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The children's reactions touched a lot of hearts.
It was clear to TikTokers that Emmaline is raising her children to be loving and accepting of all people. That message meant a lot to people.
One person wrote, "The immediate 'what' 'why' says you're a great parent!"
So many agreed.
"The 'what, why?' made me tear up even those of us with good families can have such a fear of coming out just because of the society we grow up in," someone else commented. "You're making it easier for generations to come ❤️."
This TikToker hopes that a true change is coming: "The shock in their response to having to 'come out' is endearing. Maybe we are finally getting it right with this generation."
