The OP is feeling intense disgust, shame, and fury because he views his parents’ votes as being against his own interests. Despite his parents being very supportive of his legal career, the OP is now conflicted about whether to allow them to attend his swearing-in ceremony next week. He is questioning if excluding them would be petty or an act of spite, and if he might regret such a decision later.
I passed the bar exam in my state last week. After nearly seven years of work and suicide-inducing stress, I’m finally a lawyer. But I honestly want to jump off a building after these election results.
I’m a bisexual man who voted blue down the line. Both of my parents voted trump. I’m disgusted, ashamed, furious. I’m feeling emotions I have never felt before.
I will be sworn-in at my state’s ceremony next week. My parents have been incredibly supportive and proud of my accomplishments throughout this process but quite honestly I can’t even look at them today.
They want to attend my ceremony, yet I feel so conflicted.
Am I immaturely wanting to exclude them out of spite? To punish them for voting against their son’s interests? Perhaps. Will I regret my decision to exclude them in a decade or so when they are both gone?
Maybe.
I’m lost. Am I being a petty asshole?
Conclusion
The OP is caught in a severe conflict between his deep personal values, validated by his identity and the political outcome, and his relationship with his parents, who have otherwise been supportive of his professional goals. His strong emotional reaction stems from feeling betrayed or invalidated by their political choices, leading to uncertainty about how to manage this relationship during a significant personal ceremony.
The central question facing the OP is whether to prioritize his current emotional integrity and boundary setting by excluding his parents from the ceremony, or to prioritize the long-term family relationship and avoid potential future regret. Readers must consider whether political disagreement warrants exclusion from a major life event, especially when the relationship has otherwise been positive.
Here’s how people reacted:
A lot of people vote with their pocket books – it’s business to them. Others vote with their hearts and what they feel is emotionally important.
I don’t know where your parents fall but if they treat you and your political beliefs with respect you might want to consider agreeing to disagree with them.
NTA
Being at the ceremony celebrating your achievement, then seeing your friend alone. Asking him ‘hey dude where is your family?’
Then your friend replies ‘I didn’t invite them because they voted for something I don’t like’
😂
I’d have to assume it’s a joke because they would sound like a 13 year old girl
If you’re not out then it’s hard for them to vote for your interests.
Either way, this is a small act of personal spite that you’ll likely regret.
Also and more importantly, congratulations! Use your new round completed success to make a positive change and remember why you wanted to became a lawyer in the first place.