When Greg McDonald Jr. came out to his parents, Greg Sr. and Lynn McDonald, it set off a challenging journey for the conservative Christian couple, testing their beliefs, family bonds, and faith in unexpected ways. In the summer of 2001, the McDonalds discovered their teenage son’s secret, finding evidence of his sexual orientation through his computer history. At that time, their instincts led them to believe this was a “problem” that needed to be “fixed,” reflecting the values they’d long embraced within their conservative religious community.
Initially, Greg Jr.’s admission was met with shock, concern, and a desire to change his orientation. Reflecting years later, Greg Sr. still recalls the painful memory of telling his son he needed to be “fixed”—words he wishes he could take back. His son responded with a statement that would later ring true for his parents: “There is no hate like Christian love.”
Their story sheds light on the struggles often faced by conservative Christian families who confront their children’s LGBTQ+ identities. Despite the modern shift in societal acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, millions of conservative Christians in the United States continue to resist these changes, seeing acceptance as a challenge to their religious beliefs and traditional family structures. For many, like the McDonalds, this resistance can result in a painful rift within families, where parents feel forced to choose between their faith and the well-being of their children.
Living in a faith-oriented community outside Atlanta, Georgia, the McDonalds had built their lives around Christian principles. Their lifestyle was rooted in stability and religious tradition, complete with church attendance, Bible studies, and conservative schools for their children, Greg Jr. and his sister. The couple, who once believed that peer pressure and prayer would “sort out” their son’s feelings, faced an agonizing inner conflict when confronted with his truth.
As Greg Jr. transitioned into adulthood, his parents found themselves in a “closet” of their own, secretly struggling to reconcile their conservative beliefs with their love for their son. They grappled with the pressure to conform to community expectations, all while watching their family grow distant. The tension between their faith and their love for their son sent the McDonalds on a profound journey of questioning and, ultimately, transformation.
The McDonalds’ journey became emblematic of a broader issue within conservative Christian circles: the “hidden crisis” of LGBTQ+ youth being rejected by their families. According to estimates, LGBTQ+ youth represent about 40% of the nation’s homeless youth, with many cast out by families unwilling to accept their identities. This crisis is often left unspoken within conservative communities, but it continues to impact families and the mental health of young LGBTQ+ individuals in profound ways. These youth, frequently disowned by their families, face greater risks of mental health struggles, homelessness, and even survival risks, often avoiding churches as they fear rejection or being forced into religious practices that denounce their identities.
For the McDonalds, the journey eventually led them to become advocates for LGBTQ+ acceptance within faith communities. They grew to understand the psychological harm that can come from family rejection and sought ways to support their son without compromising his mental and emotional well-being. Embracing a more compassionate approach, they have become a resource for other Christian families facing similar situations, encouraging parents to prioritize unconditional love and understanding.
Now, in speaking out, Greg Sr. and Lynn McDonald work to raise awareness about the painful consequences of conservative Christian families rejecting their LGBTQ+ children. They aim to inspire other families to see beyond the “fixing” mentality, recognizing that acceptance is essential to family harmony and the well-being of all involved.
Their story serves as a powerful reminder that faith and love need not be mutually exclusive. As societal acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals continues to grow, the McDonalds hope to bridge the gap within conservative Christian communities, demonstrating that love for family can—and should—be a guiding principle, even in the face of deeply rooted beliefs.
