TALKING TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT LGBTQ SUPPORT

LGBT and Questioning young people face many challenges socially, and some of them may be dangerous. The challenges they face can make it difficult for them to feel secure as they make their way in the world.

The best way to help LGBTQ young people feel safe and secure as they find their way in the world is to understand and support the world they live in. Here are a few suggestions to help them do that:

support-small.jpg

Information courtesy of Planned Parenthood

Ask how we might help them.

  • Make sure they know how to practice safer sex and how to use birth control if they ever have sex with people of the opposite sex.

  • Support our kids' right to have loving relationships. It's a good idea to get to know our children's partners and friends.

  • Take pride in our kids' ability to have a loving relationship.

  • Never "out" them without their permission. Let kids decide when, where, and to whom they want to come out.

  • Learn about the world they live in and support our kids' involvement with the LGBTQ community online and in real life.

  • Help them believe that life will be good to them in the future.

  • Help them set healthy boundaries.

  • Offer advice and help them think through their coming out decisions so that they can avoid taking unnecessary risks.

  • We can listen to their stories. Spend time with them. Find out who their friends and bullies are.

  • Support our children's life goals, even if they are different from our own, let our children find their way without pressure from us.

  • Keep saying, "I love you."