A parent has written to an advice columnist in the UK to ask how her son can “possibly know” he’s gay when he’s never had a girlfriend.

(I know. Stop rolling your eyes…)

The confused mother wrote to The Sun‘s Deidre Sanders for advice after their son opened up about his sexuality. She wrote,

“How can my son know he is gay when he has never had a relationship with either sex?”

I’m so confused by this. I’m 42 and my son is 18. I asked him when would he find a girlfriend, but he replied he ‘thinks’ he is gay.

How can he possibly know?

“I am worried relatives will turn their backs on him. It’s not a path we would choose for him.”

Sanders responded:

“It may not be a path he would choose for himself either because of the prejudice you have just mentioned.

We cannot choose our sexuality but many know from quite young. You don’t need a relationship to know who you are attracted to.

He probably wanted to soften the blow for you by phrasing it in this way.

Support him and tell your family you love him as much as ever.”

#WhatSheSaid

(LGBT artwork, Trey Speegle; via Pink News)