How families can support their queer kids
dallasvoice.comWhile the wording differs, the advice is the same: be loving and understanding DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writertaffet@dallasvoice.com As more and more youth come out at ever-younger ages, it’s never been more important for families to offer love and support to their LGBTQ kids — even if they don’t understand it.
The Child Mind Institute says that when a child is coming out, “the most important thing for them to know is that their family supports and loves them.” If a parent is having trouble accepting that their child is gay, lesbian or transgender, speaking to a support group like PFLAG can help. “Fear of rejection and serious negative reactions kept many LGB adults from openly sharing their lives,” writes Caitlin Ryan, director of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University.
Ryan writes that on average, adolescents understand their sexual orientation around age 13. But children begin to express their gender identity by age 3.
Support begins with the parents, and supportive parents should require respect for their LGBTQ child from other family members.
