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Sadly, this has happened to so many teens who have come out that we have had to set up a shelter for homeless teens. In order to do this, the legislature had to change a law that made it illegal to harbor a homeless teen.
I can see Connie regrets asking Greg to intervene. Instead of talking sense into him as she asked, his true colors came out and he kicked her kid out of the house. It is actually HER house. I guess she did not see this side of Greg before. Had she known, I doubt she would have married him. She was in a relationship with Lawrenceās father who was South American and POC. And she gave birth to a POC child. Had she known Greg is a hater, she might hesitate at marrying him. Usually, a hater encompasses all other kinds, not just one. Greg and Connieās reactions to Lawrenceās coming out of the closet are different. Greg is clearly a homophobe while Connie is upset that her child is not ānormal.ā Many parents think having gay child is their fault. Something they did while raising them or pass on something to them. No doubt Connie is thinking that. At least, she is probably thinking she hadnāt paid much attention to Lawrence, citing how she complained to Elly about Lawrence never being home. She probably now feels she shouldāve inquired on where he went, asking what he is doing. Now she is acting out guilt more than anything. Greg. Pfft. Purely a hater.
Gregās reaction was exactly what I was expecting from my parents (I was about 21 when this strip ran, and was still living at home, going to college). I stayed in the closet until I was 26 years old and living on my own. I had actually moved out a few years before coming out but still couldnāt deal with the anticipated rejection. They couldnāt kick me out of their house anymore but I was worried theyād kick me out of their lives. Thankfully, when I did come out, their reaction was not at all what I had been dreading.
How terrible for people like Lawrence, and to know that this is the true state of the worlds ignorance of life in this matter. And too realize Ignorant so called leaders like Florida republican governor ron desantis are allowed to tell their constituents āwe will not educate your children about the different beliefs of people known as Gays, because I want them to stay as Ignorant as I amā and pass a state law enforcing his ignorant beliefs. So much for the ignorant beliefs of many republicans this day and time.
Ouch! Lawrenceās mother looks rather aghast at the turn of events. Tune in tomorrow. (Anyone remember when ātune inā meant something? Like āa quarter toā and ādial a number.ā Ah, the good olā analog days.)
In real life, I would hope this sort of unkindness would be minimized by the kid knowing his parents well enough to not āgo there.ā Everybody has trigger points that are best left alone.
Connie seems dazed by the Gregās vehemence. It looks like she is regretting bringing him into it at all ā he was just supposed to ātalk sense intoā Lawrence.
I remember reading these strips when they first ran, and crying. I swore Iād never do this sort of thing if I had kids. Well, I had kids, and theyāre both lgbtq, and I love them unconditionally.
Is it really legal to tell your 17 year old child to leave the home? Sounds like putting that child into danger. There must be consequences to this set of parentās actions today.
Lynnās Notes: For years, I was under the impression that anyone who had objections to homosexuality were of one kind of belief or political persuasion. I learned how wrong I was during a lecture tour, afterwards where one man gave me a book about a place where LGBT people had been sentenced to death. This had surprised me in more ways than one because the name of this place was Cuba. The book, which was titled Exposing the Real Che Guevara and the Useful Idiots who Idolize Him was also an eye opener as I had grown up as a āchild of the 60sā. One part revealed that Ernesto āCheā Guevara had Cubans who were in rock and roll bands sentenced to death on the basis they did not āfigure it outā or get with the socialist āprogramā. I loved to sing, so killing someone for making music was a barbaric act to me. What was also revealed that āCheā had extreme hatred for LGBT people, sentencing homosexuals in Cuba to hard labor at gulags which were festooned with a banner āWork Will Make a Man Out of Youā. Many gays and lesbians were worked to death in these gulags. I was still reading the book at the time when Phil told the kids about Elly being a hippie, so I saved my remarks until I was done, but I now know the 1960s were not entirely the āgood olā daysā that Elly and Phil toasted, especially not when homosexuals suffered under such a horrible man in Cuba.
I remember those days, and how sad it was. Reminded me of families who said their kids were ādead to themā when they married someone of a different religionā¦
Note spineless Connie with mouth closed and hands at sides. In real life, this situation would be permanent in most cases, especially with a stepfather. A neighborhood 16 year old, one of my stepdaughter schoolmates, was thrown out by his stepfather and went to live with a friendās family. Soon after, his younger brother hit on my stepdaughter, an open attempt to be sure everyone knew that he wasnāt gay.
His ākindā are nurturing generous people. Heās still the little boy you watched grow up and help raise. If anyone deserves to be kicked out of the house itās you.
Some parents act this way because of fear, fear of what people will say, fear they failed their kid, and plain old ignorance. Always remember Lawrenc there is nothing wrong with you, it is your dadās problem, not yours.
This is sickening and not funny! We come here for a comic, not to see more hatred, we can get that on the news. :( My niece is gay, I would hate for her to be treated that way!
At least Lawrence is not alone. There was the strip where Elly saw Michael owned a girlie magazine, so she woke him up with her screeching about it. What is wrong Elly; you have a problem that Michael is heterosexual?
FBorFW takes place in a fictional suburb of Toronto., Ontario. While Iāve never been to Toronto (farthest Canada Iāve ever gone was Victoria, British Columbia), where do LGBTQ+ Torontonians usually hang out with one another?
There is only one person to blame for all this: Michael.
Michael Aaron Patterson is 100% at fault for all of this. He is the one who goaded Lawrence into saying this to his parents. Lawrence did not do this by himself.
Sadly, this is very representative of some peopleās reality. I have a gay friend who told me that when he came out to his mother, she said, āoh, Iāve known foreverā¦. but donāt tell your dad. Heād kill you.ā Imagine how living with that in your head while growing up.
I think thatās his point. I know many queer people who were kicked out of their āChristianā home using exactly those words, and more. This strip is staying very accurate to this experience.
This is basically what happened to a friend of mine when he told his family he was gay back around 1976. The only family member who would talk to him was his sister, who I was dating at the time. She and I didnāt date long but I remained friends with him until I left the state.
Horrid man. Connie should kick HIM out, but sheās too busy feeling sorry for herself.
Iāve had gay friends since high school, and several gay relatives. Our oldest niece here married her wife last year shortly after they had a daughter. Sheās still our girl and always will be!
Iām not gong to read all the replyās as this was already probably said, but if I were Connie, after the dust settles and sheās had time to think about all this I hope her response to this is to remove Greg from the picture ASAP, and beg her son to come home. Nobody deserves to be treated in this manner and Greg is to old to change his ways.
WOW!!! I had yet to see a comic character THIS evil-hearted! D8 My guess is he stays with his confused buddy Michael! (Iād let the poor guy stay with me if I was their age.)
I know this particular scenario (ie Lawrence and Greg) isnāt real . . . but it makes my mother-heart weep for those children for whom this IS far too real. I wish I could take them all into my home.
Astounding, considering the roof isnāt even his! That bastard Greg doesnāt even show up in the strip in the six years since he and Connie eloped to get a free watch, so it can be assumed that he completely ignores Lawrence, and suddenly he kicks him out on the street! LAWRENCE AND CONNIE HAVE FAR MORE RIGHT TO LIVE THERE THAN THAT PIG EVER HAD!
Cactus-Pete almost 3 years ago
Ask Dad when he āchoseā his life.
howtheduck almost 3 years ago
āyour kindā is excellent. Greg could be both a racist and a homophobe.
howtheduck almost 3 years ago
The line in the final panel is one of the best Lynn Johnston ever wrote and for me, the highlight of this story. It says it all in just a few words.
M2MM almost 3 years ago
Time to knock on the Pattersonās door.
John Jorgensen almost 3 years ago
This is how you ātalk senseā?
M2MM almost 3 years ago
From the look on Connieās face, this is not what she expected from Greg.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Wow, I did not expect that.
Susan00100 almost 3 years ago
Just move in with your BF, Lawrence.
And be glad to be rid of your so-called āparentsā!!
Susan00100 almost 3 years ago
I remember this arc when it first ran in newspapers; eventually the āparentsā recant and accept Lawrence as he was.
Very abruptly, IMO!! IRL, bigots never change!!
Uncle Kenny almost 3 years ago
Sadly, this has happened to so many teens who have come out that we have had to set up a shelter for homeless teens. In order to do this, the legislature had to change a law that made it illegal to harbor a homeless teen.
GirlGeek Premium Member almost 3 years ago
AND THEREāS MY FAVORITE LINE!!
capricorn9th almost 3 years ago
I can see Connie regrets asking Greg to intervene. Instead of talking sense into him as she asked, his true colors came out and he kicked her kid out of the house. It is actually HER house. I guess she did not see this side of Greg before. Had she known, I doubt she would have married him. She was in a relationship with Lawrenceās father who was South American and POC. And she gave birth to a POC child. Had she known Greg is a hater, she might hesitate at marrying him. Usually, a hater encompasses all other kinds, not just one. Greg and Connieās reactions to Lawrenceās coming out of the closet are different. Greg is clearly a homophobe while Connie is upset that her child is not ānormal.ā Many parents think having gay child is their fault. Something they did while raising them or pass on something to them. No doubt Connie is thinking that. At least, she is probably thinking she hadnāt paid much attention to Lawrence, citing how she complained to Elly about Lawrence never being home. She probably now feels she shouldāve inquired on where he went, asking what he is doing. Now she is acting out guilt more than anything. Greg. Pfft. Purely a hater.
nicka93 almost 3 years ago
Lawrence doesnāt live there any more, possibly Mikeās family will take him in, after all Mike is the one who convinced him to tell his parents.
RickTengle almost 3 years ago
Greg needs needs a Homocil prescription https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/homocil/2869234
Johnnyrico almost 3 years ago
All while Connie stands there with that dumb look on her face..
Train 1911 almost 3 years ago
In Godās eyes your his chip no matter what he dad to hear this to.
janis nerowski almost 3 years ago
You all do remember these are old reruns of this strip right?
The Pro from Dover almost 3 years ago
What would they do if it was a pregnant teenage girl? Throw her out too? Go sleep in the Pattersonās Car.
up2trixx almost 3 years ago
Gregās reaction was exactly what I was expecting from my parents (I was about 21 when this strip ran, and was still living at home, going to college). I stayed in the closet until I was 26 years old and living on my own. I had actually moved out a few years before coming out but still couldnāt deal with the anticipated rejection. They couldnāt kick me out of their house anymore but I was worried theyād kick me out of their lives. Thankfully, when I did come out, their reaction was not at all what I had been dreading.
cwillis almost 3 years ago
Iāve had a lot of friends that this has happened to. Mom needs to step in and step up. How a parent can turn their own out is sickening to me.
rossevrymn almost 3 years ago
oof
jimchronister2016 almost 3 years ago
How terrible for people like Lawrence, and to know that this is the true state of the worlds ignorance of life in this matter. And too realize Ignorant so called leaders like Florida republican governor ron desantis are allowed to tell their constituents āwe will not educate your children about the different beliefs of people known as Gays, because I want them to stay as Ignorant as I amā and pass a state law enforcing his ignorant beliefs. So much for the ignorant beliefs of many republicans this day and time.
Selune136413 almost 3 years ago
D*mn this poor kid has sh*tty parents!!!!
Faith Blackwell Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I am so sad now
Mama Fish almost 3 years ago
Gosh, I really donāt remember this part of the story (though I do remember that Lawrence is gay). How painful.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Oh yeah. I remember these guys.
Bob Blumenfeld almost 3 years ago
Ouch! Lawrenceās mother looks rather aghast at the turn of events. Tune in tomorrow. (Anyone remember when ātune inā meant something? Like āa quarter toā and ādial a number.ā Ah, the good olā analog days.)
Lisa Marie Chamberlain almost 3 years ago
Wow so rude
flagmichael Premium Member almost 3 years ago
In real life, I would hope this sort of unkindness would be minimized by the kid knowing his parents well enough to not āgo there.ā Everybody has trigger points that are best left alone.
brick10 almost 3 years ago
Wasnāt this Lawrenceās home before Greg moved in?
flagmichael Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Connie seems dazed by the Gregās vehemence. It looks like she is regretting bringing him into it at all ā he was just supposed to ātalk sense intoā Lawrence.
Aladar30 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
One of the most powerful comic strip ever done.
Chansonreve almost 3 years ago
I remember reading these strips when they first ran, and crying. I swore Iād never do this sort of thing if I had kids. Well, I had kids, and theyāre both lgbtq, and I love them unconditionally.
EXCALABUR almost 3 years ago
How about having a calm discussion.
kimodb Premium Member almost 3 years ago
heartwrenching
this is summerdog almost 3 years ago
Is it really legal to tell your 17 year old child to leave the home? Sounds like putting that child into danger. There must be consequences to this set of parentās actions today.
USN1977 almost 3 years ago
Lynnās Notes: For years, I was under the impression that anyone who had objections to homosexuality were of one kind of belief or political persuasion. I learned how wrong I was during a lecture tour, afterwards where one man gave me a book about a place where LGBT people had been sentenced to death. This had surprised me in more ways than one because the name of this place was Cuba. The book, which was titled Exposing the Real Che Guevara and the Useful Idiots who Idolize Him was also an eye opener as I had grown up as a āchild of the 60sā. One part revealed that Ernesto āCheā Guevara had Cubans who were in rock and roll bands sentenced to death on the basis they did not āfigure it outā or get with the socialist āprogramā. I loved to sing, so killing someone for making music was a barbaric act to me. What was also revealed that āCheā had extreme hatred for LGBT people, sentencing homosexuals in Cuba to hard labor at gulags which were festooned with a banner āWork Will Make a Man Out of Youā. Many gays and lesbians were worked to death in these gulags. I was still reading the book at the time when Phil told the kids about Elly being a hippie, so I saved my remarks until I was done, but I now know the 1960s were not entirely the āgood olā daysā that Elly and Phil toasted, especially not when homosexuals suffered under such a horrible man in Cuba.
mbowman Premium Member almost 3 years ago
dropping this strip.
Argythree almost 3 years ago
I remember those days, and how sad it was. Reminded me of families who said their kids were ādead to themā when they married someone of a different religionā¦
preacherman Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Something I noticed during an earlier strip. Why is Lawrence a different color shade than his parents? Was he adopted?
Bobbin Dobbins almost 3 years ago
Note spineless Connie with mouth closed and hands at sides. In real life, this situation would be permanent in most cases, especially with a stepfather. A neighborhood 16 year old, one of my stepdaughter schoolmates, was thrown out by his stepfather and went to live with a friendās family. Soon after, his younger brother hit on my stepdaughter, an open attempt to be sure everyone knew that he wasnāt gay.
misslaurastoyroom almost 3 years ago
His ākindā are nurturing generous people. Heās still the little boy you watched grow up and help raise. If anyone deserves to be kicked out of the house itās you.
Dr_Fogg almost 3 years ago
Just wrong :-(
mindjob almost 3 years ago
At least he isnāt in a Middle East country when they would put him to death
paranormal almost 3 years ago
That man isnāt going to win Father of the Yearā¦
kathleenhicks62 almost 3 years ago
I can not hit the ālikeā icon, because this is a very bad thing for everyone.
llosik almost 3 years ago
This still puzzles me: How can a parent throw out a child? Never did understand it.
Yardley701 almost 3 years ago
Some parents act this way because of fear, fear of what people will say, fear they failed their kid, and plain old ignorance. Always remember Lawrenc there is nothing wrong with you, it is your dadās problem, not yours.
kamoolah almost 3 years ago
āHis kindā have been known for their arugula salads and $12 martinis. Whoever heard of a gay person living below the poverty line?
kaycstamper almost 3 years ago
This is sickening and not funny! We come here for a comic, not to see more hatred, we can get that on the news. :( My niece is gay, I would hate for her to be treated that way!
The_Great_Black President almost 3 years ago
At least Lawrence is not alone. There was the strip where Elly saw Michael owned a girlie magazine, so she woke him up with her screeching about it. What is wrong Elly; you have a problem that Michael is heterosexual?
198.23.5.11 almost 3 years ago
Iāll have to open the door of hope a little here.
Lawrenceās exile doesnāt last long.Guilt-ridden Mike is already on the hunt for him.
Tomorrowā-special performance by Joel Grey and The Gorilla.
patrickab7 almost 3 years ago
Donāt think my local newspaper ran all of this storyline, but I remember hearing about it.
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
FBorFW takes place in a fictional suburb of Toronto., Ontario. While Iāve never been to Toronto (farthest Canada Iāve ever gone was Victoria, British Columbia), where do LGBTQ+ Torontonians usually hang out with one another?
Katzi428 almost 3 years ago
For those of you that donāt like this story you can always come back in a couple of weeks . No one is forcing you to stay!!
hillia almost 3 years ago
Thereās a huge difference between sexual experimentation and sexual orientation.
kamoolah almost 3 years ago
There is only one person to blame for all this: Michael.
Michael Aaron Patterson is 100% at fault for all of this. He is the one who goaded Lawrence into saying this to his parents. Lawrence did not do this by himself.
Susan00100 almost 3 years ago
SPOILER ALERT: Connie sobs to Elly (as usual) and Elly sends Michael outāin the middle of the nightāto find Lawrence.
Michael is successful.
gojuguy almost 3 years ago
Sadly, this is very representative of some peopleās reality. I have a gay friend who told me that when he came out to his mother, she said, āoh, Iāve known foreverā¦. but donāt tell your dad. Heād kill you.ā Imagine how living with that in your head while growing up.
mlncostume Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I think thatās his point. I know many queer people who were kicked out of their āChristianā home using exactly those words, and more. This strip is staying very accurate to this experience.
BluNova almost 3 years ago
I donāt think this is what Connie had in mind.
bryan42 almost 3 years ago
This is basically what happened to a friend of mine when he told his family he was gay back around 1976. The only family member who would talk to him was his sister, who I was dating at the time. She and I didnāt date long but I remained friends with him until I left the state.
theoldidahofox almost 3 years ago
Ignorance and intolerance is overwhelming, now jet propelled by the GOP.
phoenixnyc almost 3 years ago
And I thought Canadians were supposed to be nicer than Americans.
PammWhittaker almost 3 years ago
Horrid man. Connie should kick HIM out, but sheās too busy feeling sorry for herself.
Iāve had gay friends since high school, and several gay relatives. Our oldest niece here married her wife last year shortly after they had a daughter. Sheās still our girl and always will be!
BJIllistrated Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Iām not gong to read all the replyās as this was already probably said, but if I were Connie, after the dust settles and sheās had time to think about all this I hope her response to this is to remove Greg from the picture ASAP, and beg her son to come home. Nobody deserves to be treated in this manner and Greg is to old to change his ways.
freewaydog almost 3 years ago
Donāt worry, Greg will feel bad.
GreggW Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Bet he votes Conservative.
cranefriend almost 3 years ago
THROW GREG OUT
dlaemmerhirt999 almost 3 years ago
WOW!!! I had yet to see a comic character THIS evil-hearted! D8 My guess is he stays with his confused buddy Michael! (Iād let the poor guy stay with me if I was their age.)
Bwingblue1 almost 3 years ago
Doesnāt live there anymore. Maybe if Michael has come to terms with it, he could crash there.
stillfickled Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Wow, a lot of comments. Go to Michael.
bobgreenwade almost 3 years ago
Greg (like far too many people) does not understand the difference between being and doing.
liahonagirl almost 3 years ago
I know this particular scenario (ie Lawrence and Greg) isnāt real . . . but it makes my mother-heart weep for those children for whom this IS far too real. I wish I could take them all into my home.
Michael McKown Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Man, thatās just pathetic.
radicalmom almost 3 years ago
a new story line!!!! thanks lynne
pamela welch Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Poor child; this happens to so very many children :-(
KROverton almost 3 years ago
I am having a hard time ālikingā this arc as I am hating everyoneās reaction to Lawrence.
lindz.coop Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Well, those parents handled that wellā¦not
CoreyTaylor1 almost 3 years ago
Astounding, considering the roof isnāt even his! That bastard Greg doesnāt even show up in the strip in the six years since he and Connie eloped to get a free watch, so it can be assumed that he completely ignores Lawrence, and suddenly he kicks him out on the street! LAWRENCE AND CONNIE HAVE FAR MORE RIGHT TO LIVE THERE THAN THAT PIG EVER HAD!
sykerocker almost 3 years ago
The (probably coincidental) timing of this strip is both perfect . . . . . and horrifying.
Statick almost 3 years ago
What HORRIBLE reaction as parents. Lawrence deserves better.
Nicole ā« ā±āæ āāæāāæā°ā« Premium Member almost 3 years ago
If I were his mother, Iād kick my HUSBAND out and bring my son back in. I feel so bad for Lawrence. With parents like them, who needs enemies?
MCProfessor almost 3 years ago
Sadly, this scene has played out this way in far too many households.
missyhyattfan almost 3 years ago
This makes me sad and angry!