The Bert Show – "Vault: He's Nervous About Asking A Guy To Prom"

Date: January 23, 2026
Podcast Host: Pionaire Podcasting
Main Cast: Bert (A), Kristin (B), Others (D), Callers

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show features a candid, supportive conversation with Julian—a courageous 17-year-old listener—about coming out as gay, navigating his parents’ reactions, and his worries about taking a guy to his high school prom. The hosts and callers discuss challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, the realities of acceptance, and offer encouragement, real-life advice, and personal reflections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Julian’s Coming Out Journey

(00:21–01:56)

• Timeline: Julian came out to his parents at 15, after attending counseling to prepare.
• Parental Reaction: Initially, his parents reacted negatively—firing his therapist and accusing her of influencing him.
  • Julian (01:04): "[My parents] freaked out, fired the therapist and it was kind of bad."
  • Julian (01:35): "They accused her of somehow making me okay with it or something. I was like, no, I was okay with it before."
• Further Steps: Parents sent Julian to a Christian therapist, aiming for "rehabilitation," but the experience was ineffective.

2. Ongoing Family Dynamics

(03:03–04:03)

• Acceptance: Julian’s mother wavers between apparent acceptance and confusion.
  • Julian (03:10): "We talked for a while and she's like, 'Since you feel the need to tell other people, you must not be confused... so I'm telling you today that I accept you.' ... But a week later she's like, 'I just don't understand it.'"
• Father’s Reaction: Julian’s father did not speak to him for three weeks after coming out and now avoids discussing the topic.
  • Julian (06:39): "He didn't speak to me or look at me for three straight weeks. ... Now he just doesn't talk about it."
  • Father seems to be questioning himself, blaming his own actions.

3. Parental Perspectives & Host Reflections

(02:44–06:08)

• The hosts discuss emotional complexity for parents:
  • Initial disappointment isn’t about the child, but about the perceived loss of an “implied future” or life expectations.
    • Host (A) (05:41): "You have these hopes and dreams and... when they come to you and say everything you thought was gonna happen... probably is not, I think that's a little shocking to the system."
  • Reputation and societal perceptions weigh heavily on parents.

4. The Prom Dilemma: Asking a Guy

(07:17–09:25)

• Julian's Concerns: Wants to bring a male date to prom and is unsure how his parents, or school, will react.
• School Climate: Public school is described as “ultra conservative”; lesbian couples have attended, but Julian’s never seen a gay male couple at prom.
  • Julian (08:09): "It's a public school... I've seen lesbian couples, but I've never seen a gay couple there."
• Legal & Social Barriers: Hosts debate whether the school can prevent a same-sex couple; acknowledge social pressures and potential obstacles.

5. Advice and Support Networks

(09:19–13:32)

• Instincts: Julian considers casually introducing a boyfriend at home first.
  • Julian (09:25): "My instinct says I just need to randomly bring a guy home and see how they take it."
• Callers Share:
  • David (09:39): Shares a similar high school experience; found comfort when his school accepted him, even if his boyfriend wasn't comfortable attending prom.
• Being Out: Julian is mostly out at school, though some think it’s a rumor.
  • Julian (10:27): "A lot of people think it's just a rumor... I'm like, yeah [I'm gay]."
• Advice from Hosts & Callers:
  • Hosts encourage Julian to rely on support organizations like "Youth Pride."
  • Sherry (12:34): Offers heartfelt encouragement as someone who came out in adulthood.

6. Acceptance Takes Time

(13:32–15:27)

• Kristin (B) shares her own mother’s years-long journey to acceptance, stresses that parents' reactions often stem from how they were raised.
  • Advises Julian to act authentically—make choices based on his own desires, not just as challenges to his parents.
  • Kristin (14:49): "Bring a guy home because you really want to, not to challenge your parents..."
• Happiness and authenticity are most persuasive for winning over parents in the long run.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On parental reactions:
  "It's amazing how open minded your parents are until that situation happens to them." – Host (A), [02:44]
• Julian, on coming out:
  "They accused [the therapist] of somehow making me okay with it ... I was okay with it before." – Julian, [01:35]
• On courage and authenticity:
  "I was certainly much more of a coward than you ... I was by no means as strong as you are." – Kristin (B), [07:32]
• Advice from another caller:
  "Just don't let your parents negatively affect you... you're doing great." – Sherry (E), [13:08]
• On progress:
  "And life will get easier, I promise." – Kristin (B), [16:04]

Important Timestamps

• 00:21–01:56: Julian describes coming out, counseling, and parental reactions.
• 03:03–04:03: Updates on relationships with parents post-coming out.
• 07:17–09:25: Discussion of asking a guy to prom and school environments.
• 09:39–10:41: Caller David shares his parallel experience.
• 12:34–13:32: Advice and emotional support from callers and hosts.
• 14:49–15:27: Kristin’s story about her mother’s path to acceptance.

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is direct, authentic, and supportive. Julian’s calm confidence and openness impress both the hosts and callers, many of whom reflect on their own journeys and offer real encouragement. The episode gives a mix of practical advice, empathy, and a realistic look at the path toward acceptance, underscoring that courage and authenticity—supported by community—are powerful, even in the face of uncertainty.

For more advice or to connect with supportive organizations, the show recommends local LGBTQ+ youth networks such as Youth Pride.