Sibling wants to support gay brother amid family tensions

DEAR HARRIETTE: My younger brother, who is only 12, recently came out as gay, and while I fully support him, my parents are struggling to accept it. They keep insisting it’s just a phase, and it’s heartbreaking to watch. I’ve tried having conversations with them about being more open-minded, but they seem resistant to the idea. I feel caught between wanting to stand by my brother and trying to help my parents understand, and it’s becoming really stressful. How can I help bridge this gap without alienating anyone in the family? — Family Divide DEAR FAMILY DIVIDE: Parents have their notions of who their children are and what they will become, but that’s not always the reality of what happens.