A Difficult But Necessary Letter': Shocking Alleged Letter From a Father Disowning His Gay Son Goes Viral

"James: This is a difficult but necessary letter to write."

So begins a letter, posted on the website Reddit, that has since come to form a viral symbol of anti-gay bigotry. The letter is from a father, ostensibly to his (adult) gay son after that son came out of the closet, and its contents may shock you regardless of your stance on gay marriage. There certainly is no pretense on the part of the writer to hate the sin, but love the sinner.

"This is a difficult, but necessary letter to write," the unidentified father writes. "I hope your telephone call was not to receive my blessing for the degrading of your lifestyle. I have fond memories of our time together, but that is all in the past. Don't expect any further conversations with me. No communication at all. I will not come to visit, nor do I want you in my house. You've made your choice, though wrong it may be. God did not intend for this unnatural lifestyle. If you choose not to attend my funeral, my friends and I will understand. Have a good birthday and good life. No present exchanges will be accepted. Goodbye, Dad."

Reddit user RegBarc claims the letter is from five years ago from his father to him, following RegBarc's decision to come out as gay. See it below: