Dear Amy: I have three sisters. Our parents are elderly.

We have been getting together for a potluck dinner at my parents’ house to celebrate birthdays and other occasions, usually once a month.

This makes it easier for our folks so they do not have to leave their home.

The issue is that my parents and three sisters are very negative people.

The conversation is always about how inadequate our current politicians are. They constantly spread fake news articles through social media and emails from questionable sources.

They are prejudiced and intolerant.

They discuss gender identity and sexual orientation like it’s a disease, even though my son (their nephew and grandson) is openly gay.

Lastly, they are anti-vaxxers (even though some received the Covid vaccine). But now any illness they get is because they received the vaccine.

I have not attended the last couple potlucks, which saddens me because I enjoyed our time together. I know my parents enjoyed it, as well.

I now choose to visit my parents by myself.

Should I tell them that I am not attending anymore, and tell them why?

I feel like if I do attend, I will become the odd person out, saying nothing and not even wanting to hear them talk about their subjects of choice during what should be a special family time!

– Tired

Dear Tired: I have an idea. How about attending and not staying silent? How about standing your ground – if only to defend your own son, whose sexual identity is not a disease?

If after doing this, you choose to stay away from future group meetings, at least all of the participants will know why.

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.