Re: this is a subject line.

Most of my family on my mothers side is made up out of very artistic and/or hyper-intelligent people. So...I'm actually quite confident my mother will take it well. (in the end at least)

Good sign.

does being intelligent or artistic have anything to do with being open minded?

I'll give it a 'yes'...

I don't know this "doctor laura" since they don't air it here in my country...but I visited the website, and it looks like some sort of Dr. Phil :| (which they do show here)
"It's Dr. Phil! Making a living out of letting people feel bad about themselves!"...as you can see, I love that guy :p

Basically, only more evil and less mainstream.

Glad to have ya here...