A Dads' Guide to Supporting LGBTQIA+ Kids
Minneapolis bridge lit up for Twin Cities Pride. By Tony Webster (Own work) [CC BY-SA], via Wikimedia Commons
Dads typically assume they are raising heterosexual children with a clear gender identity, especially when the kids have yet to reach their middle teen years. This makes it a nontrivial matter when dads begin to suspect or learn that their children do not fit the conventional mold of being straight and attracted to people of the opposite gender. In fact, some learn that their children are transgendered and feel discomfort presenting themselves as male or female. Even though dads increasingly handle this
unexpected news in stride--adjusting well as fathers
to their new circumstances--many struggle to accept the new family reality. Dads can explore the resources posted below to see if they might be able to use healthy, productive strategies as they move forward to nurture their relationships with children who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community.
In addition to social stressors, being part of the
LGBTQIA+ community comes with its own health and safety concerns for which dads and kids alike should study and prepare. This site contains links to resources to help LGBTQIA+ children and their parents respond to the unique crises their situation represents.
unexpected news in stride--adjusting well as fathers
to their new circumstances--many struggle to accept the new family reality. Dads can explore the resources posted below to see if they might be able to use healthy, productive strategies as they move forward to nurture their relationships with children who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community.
In addition to social stressors, being part of the
LGBTQIA+ community comes with its own health and safety concerns for which dads and kids alike should study and prepare. This site contains links to resources to help LGBTQIA+ children and their parents respond to the unique crises their situation represents.
Resources
Logo retrieved from community.pflag.org
PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
An organization that provides extensive coming out help for family, friends, and allies. There are more than 500 chapters around the country that can provide guidance for dads and others as they try to support their LGBTQIA+ children.
An organization that provides extensive coming out help for family, friends, and allies. There are more than 500 chapters around the country that can provide guidance for dads and others as they try to support their LGBTQIA+ children.
Logo retrieved from ourtruecolors.org
True Colors: Sexual Minority Youth and Family Services
True Colors was incorporated in 1998 and is a non-profit organization that works with other social service agencies, schools, organizations, and within communities to ensure that the needs of sexual and gender minority youth are both recognized and competently met. The organization trains more than 2,400 people annually, organizes the largest LGBTQIA+ youth conference in the country with more than 2,000 attendees, and manages the state’s only LGBTQIA+ mentoring program. True Colors has been spotlighted by both national and local media for their expertise in LGBTQIA+ youth issues, including most recently CNN.
True Colors was incorporated in 1998 and is a non-profit organization that works with other social service agencies, schools, organizations, and within communities to ensure that the needs of sexual and gender minority youth are both recognized and competently met. The organization trains more than 2,400 people annually, organizes the largest LGBTQIA+ youth conference in the country with more than 2,000 attendees, and manages the state’s only LGBTQIA+ mentoring program. True Colors has been spotlighted by both national and local media for their expertise in LGBTQIA+ youth issues, including most recently CNN.
Logo retrieved from plannedparenthood.org
Planned Parenthood:
Parenting LGBT and Questioning Kids
Provides information and practical guidance for parents whose children "come out" or
they are confused about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Parenting LGBT and Questioning Kids
Provides information and practical guidance for parents whose children "come out" or
they are confused about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A couple notable resources that help LGBTQIA+ dads and others work with kids’ schools include:
Logo retrieved from gsanetwork.org
Gay-Straight Alliance network (GSA Network)
This organization positions itself as a “next-generation LGBTQIA+ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer school and healthier
communities."
This organization positions itself as a “next-generation LGBTQIA+ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer school and healthier
communities."
Logo retrieved from glsen.org
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
The organization’s proposes that “we want every student, in every school, to be valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We believe that all students deserve a safe and affirming school environment where they can learn and grow.”
The organization’s proposes that “we want every student, in every school, to be valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We believe that all students deserve a safe and affirming school environment where they can learn and grow.”
Logo retrieved from imatyfa.org
TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA)
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
