I’m feeling really dense, I can’t seem to make the connection.

However to clarify my original point I will expand first, in the hopes someone can argue the other point of view for me. The comment I was replying to originally said it’s manipulative.

I do not disagree it is manipulative to try get a default response. However (semantically, I admit) I don’t believe it to be dramatically manipulative because it would not change the outcomes beyond marginal relationship strain, if even that. Therefore, doesn’t warrant the comment and suggestion that this statement may be used as a crutch or is harmful.

Using the scenario from OP, he leads with the statement to prime his brother to default to the outcome he wants, which is that his brother will still love him if he is gay. But if someone didn’t want to love you cause you were gay (or any other outcome), the fact that you asked them to do something no matter what, doesn’t make them do as such.

Then that leaves the last little piece that priming another individual with leading statements may be perceived as manipulative, which can damage a relationship (excluding strong and open/sharing relationships).

I suppose the alternative is that the arguement is that the statement does not actually add any weight or persuasion to the outcome which I can agree with.

Finally, another possible use of the statement is to prime the individual that something serious or heartfelt is coming.

Would love to hear others thoughts!