Love your kid. No doubt. When they were helpless newborns, you adored them from the start. They may not need you 24/7, but they do. They need your love, acceptance, and support.
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It's easy to believe LGBTQ+ stereotypes from the media, friends, or church. However, check your preconceptions and reconsider what matters—that your child is happy, healthy, and supported by their parents.
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When your child comes out to you, feel free to ask questions to better understand them. Avoid leading or cornering inquiries. Instead, inquire, “How are you feeling?”, “What can I do to support you?”, and “Is anyone treating you poorly because of who you are?”
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Follow them. And listen. If your child shares how they're feeling and what they're going through, don't try to make them feel better by comparing their experience to yours, and don't give them reasons to feel that way.
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Be selfless. Not about you. Your child being LGBTQ is not your fault. My father always stated, “Your child comes through you, not from you.” Your parenting did not shape their brains and bodies.
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There are many sites to help you understand what "LGBTQ" means and what it means to come out. Get educated to spare your child the dumb questions and be a better LGBTQ ally.
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Connecting with others in similar situations is the best way to feel less alone. PFLAG and GLSEN are great organizations for LGBTQ parents to network and share their struggles and triumphs.
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Volunteering for an LGBTQ organization can teach you lots. The Trevor Project, Ali Forney Center, and others aid LGBTQ youngsters in need.
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