--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd be devastated if my son grows up to…" description: "\"I'd be devastated if my son grows up to be a hetero. I mean, I'd still love him ... but as a parent you just envision a certain life for your child. I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/debra-messing-8824_certain_i-d-be-devastated-if-my-son-grows-up-to_1630792.jpg" --- # I'd be devastated if my son grows up to be a hetero. I… ![“I'd be devastated if my son grows up to be a hetero. I mean, I'd still love him ... but as a parent you just envision a certain life for your child. I mean, if he's straight, think of all the fabulous things he's going to miss out on. When I think my son might never know the joys of having a…” quote by Debra Messing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/debra-messing-8824_certain_i-d-be-devastated-if-my-son-grows-up-to_1630792.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/debra-messing-8824_certain_i-d-be-devastated-if-my-son-grows-up-to_1630792.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/debra-messing-8824_certain_i-d-be-devastated-if-my-son-grows-up-to_1630792.jpg) > “I'd be devastated if my son grows up to be a hetero. I mean, I'd still love him ... but as a parent you just envision a certain life for your child. I mean, if he's straight, think of all the fabulous things he's going to miss out on. When I think my son might never know the joys of having a quarter share on Fire Island and walking through Judy Garland Memorial Park on the way to the Meat Rack.” [Debra Messing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-messing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expresses fear that a child’s sexual orientation may limit their experiences, reflecting parental expectations and societal stereotypes. **In simple terms:** Worried about missing out due to orientation. Key Takeaway Embrace love without imposing expectations. Themes family identity acceptance stereotypes Mood hopeful empathetic Type personal social When to use this quote - parenting - LGBTQ+ support - community events - media representation Key Concepts sexual orientation parental expectations social norms Questions to Reflect On - What joys can all orientations share? - How can parents support authentic selves? A Different Perspective Assumes a single lifestyle is superior, overlooking diverse joys. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Fabulous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fabulous/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Islands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islands/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Marriage equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-equality/) [Memorial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorial/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I felt Michael Jackson was inspired a little bit more from the elegance of a Fred Astaire. Michael loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-ortega/i-felt-michael-jackson-was-inspired-a-little-bit-more-from-the/) [Kenny Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-ortega/) > [Well, I was obsessed with Judy Garland growing up. Like, obsessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/well-i-was-obsessed-with-judy-garland-growing-up-like-obsessed/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [Judy Garland was just so delicious in every way and just so honest and generous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-davis/judy-garland-was-just-so-delicious-in-every-way-and-just-so-honest/) [Judy Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-davis/) > [No-one will ever sound as good as Judy Garland as far as I am concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/no-one-will-ever-sound-as-good-as-judy-garland-as-far-as-i-am/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) > [A lot of people saw Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland as persecuted and tragic and vulnerable, and I think a lot of gay men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/a-lot-of-people-saw-marilyn-monroe-and-judy-garland-as-persecuted-and/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [I have a degree in cinema studies and the big paper I wrote at the end of that was about Judy Garland and Liza…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-longworth/i-have-a-degree-in-cinema-studies-and-the-big-paper-i-wrote-at-the/) [Karina Longworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-longworth/) > [When you talk about the world's greatest entertainer you have to say Al Jolson because there was no one like him. Only Judy Garland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-benny/when-you-talk-about-the-world-s-greatest-entertainer-you-have-to-say/) [Jack Benny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-benny/) > [I love Judy Garland, I love Doris Day, I love Marilyn Monroe. I love everything that comes from that era. The music is just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmy-rossum/i-love-judy-garland-i-love-doris-day-i-love-marilyn-monroe-i-love/) [Emmy Rossum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmy-rossum/) > [Yesterday the Supreme Court lifted the ban on same-sex marriage in Kansas. They didn't give a reason for the ruling, but then again when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/yesterday-the-supreme-court-lifted-the-ban-on-same-sex-marriage-in/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [I lisp. My eyes disappear when I smile. My voice is funny. I don't sing like Judy Garland. 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