Homophobic Aunt Attacks Her Teenage Nephew for Coloring His Hair in Theme with the Bisexual Pride Flag

Some family conflicts start with money, but this one began with hair dye and a whole lot of judgment. A teenage boy wanted to color his hair in the pink, purple, and blue shades of the bisexual pride flag, and his dad said yes after hearing why it mattered to him.

That simple choice set off a fight with OP's conservative sister, who is already dealing with her own messy divorce and has strong feelings about her ex-husband's new engagement to a man. OP is raising his 16-year-old son alone after his wife died five years ago, and the boy's decision was meant to support a bullied classmate, not start a family war.

Then the aunt stepped in, and things got ugly fast. Read on.

Enter OP's Conservative Sister...

OP hosted a family barbecue, and when his sister saw her nephew's hair, she was mortified. She immediately approached OP to tell him his son needed to dye his hair brown before he "influenced the younger children of the family into sin."

He told her it was none of her business, but she refused to back down. She accosted her niece with a hat and told him she would kick him out of the barbecue his father was hosting.

She also added that his appearance would turn his younger cousins gay. To which OP's son loudly replied, "Oh yes, because God forbid they divorce their miserable wives so they can be happy with men."

Homophobic auntie burst into tears and stormed off. The grandparents weren't thrilled about the conflict, but they don't blame their grandson.

OP's brother, the father of the younger cousins who are at risk of turning gay because of someone's hair color, thought the whole ordeal was hilarious. The next day, OP's sister called him.

She asked OP how he would punish his son. OP boldly said there wouldn't be any punishment because she attacked him first, and he was only defending himself.

She is now refusing to talk to OP and is instead holed up in their parents' home, being a complete mess. Their parents are also mad at OP because when his wife died, the sister was supportive of him, yet OP is refusing to consider her feelings.

aitasondyed

The Messy Situation as Regaled by OP Can Be Read Below:

aitasondyed aitasondyed aitasondyed aitasondyed aitasondyed aitasondyed

After Receiving a Ton of Comments, OP Added a Few Details to Clarify Some Things

aitasondyed aitasondyed aitasondyed

It also echoes the dilemma in whether to tell conservative parents about a brother’s secret same-sex relationship.

OP Needs to Open His Eyes Because His Sister Is an Outright Homophobic Person

fizzbangwhiz

She Wasn't Even Subtle About It

RexJacobus

She Said, in Not So Many Words, That the Kid's Hair Color Will Influence Other Children into a Life of Sin

Willowed-Wisp

It's False Equivalency, and It's Wrong to Cash in Your Kindness to Excuse Your Homophobia

F0xFr33k F0xFr33k

Couldn't Have Said It Better

tonystarksanxieties

OP's Son Went for the Jugular, but Is It Deserved?

AlanFromRochester

Some Claim the Response Was Justified

AanAllein117

While Others Think It Crossed a Line

government_candy

Honestly, the Son Is Justified for Responding That Way. It Wasn't Like the Aunt Was a Model of Decency.

Lowbacca1977

OP's Brother Is Right; It Was Hilarious!

Kayos9999

Why Do You Need Moral High Ground When Dealing with People Who Were Rude to You in the First Place?

type1error

Does the Son's Low-Blow Response Nullify the Aunt's Homophobia?

plsletmestayincanada

He May Feel Guilty for Responding to an Elder That Way, but He Doesn't Owe Her an Apology

purple235

Your Kindness or Moral High Ground Won't Change Their Skewed Beliefs Anyway

tripbin

One Thing Is for Sure: OP Is Doing an Amazing Job Raising His Son

ummherewego

Sure, OP's son's response was mean, but it was necessary. His aunt had no right to give him an ultimatum just because she wrongly believes his sinful hair color will turn other children gay.

It's tough to face that your own family can be so blatantly homophobic, but calling out and standing up against their hurtful beliefs is needed. Ignorance is not an excuse to be rude to other people, and it doesn't cost you anything to show kindness.

For more fallout at a family gathering, see what happened when someone confronted their brother-in-law over inappropriate behavior toward sister.