DEAR ABBY: We have some great friends we have known for five years. Our families enjoy time together, and although the friendship started through our kids, I now get together with the other mom outside of kid-related activities. Her son, “Michael,” and my daughter (ages 12) are best friends in middle school, and I truly care for him, as well as his family.
I have assumed for a long time that Michael is gay. Since late last year, he’s been having a lot of trouble with a certain group of boys who call him gay — among other names — ...