Hi lind66, what an awesome caring parent you are. I wish my parents had been more understanding when I was at that age, because it is a really fragile time. You're just starting to find out who you are, possibly have felt like you have never fitted in, and you expect that by realising you're gay everything will just fall into place.
Unfortunately, it doesn't happen like that. Finding your identity and place in the world, and the friends to go with that takes time. 12 months out is not a long time at all, and 20 is a very young age (I am in my 30s).
I think the best you can do is keep affirming his identity and try to undo some of the damage that being raised in the homopphobic environment has done to his sense of self-worth. Keep gently encouraging him to put himself out there and keep doing the active things he is doing, like volunteering. The more confidence he gains in himself, the more he will find it easier to attract friends, and this is true for any walk of life, not just being gay.
Suggest he keeps off the apps while he is feeling very depressed, they can be a bit of a minefield. Encourage the real world connections he is making, the course he is doing and his long term plans for the future. I hope this helps.
