The teenage years are difficult, especially if your teen has come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+). In many ways they face the same issues as their heterosexual peers, but they also face unique mental health problems, stigmas and self-esteem issues.
As a parent of a LGBTQ+ teen, you may feel ill-prepared, but parents who embrace their child’s journey, help support and empower them can have a tremendous impact on their future in positive ways.
“Researchshows that parents play a critical role in their LGBTQ+ child’s health and wellbeing,” said Rashell Orey, a licensed master social worker with Banner Health. “Teens whose parents don’t accept their child or turn away from them are at a风险更高for homelessness, depression, suicide and addictions. However, family acceptance can protect against these and promote their self-esteem, social support and overall health.”
如果你正在阅读这一点，你显然很深刻地关心你的青少年的幸福和幸福，但你可能不确定在他们继续发展和发展成年期。
Here are five things you can start today to support your LGBTQ+ teen.
All They Need Is Love
When ateen comes out对他们的父母来说，它可能是他们在年轻的生活中所做的最艰难的事情之一。对于大多数家庭来说，父母作为岩石和锚，因此接受是关键。
Even if you can’t seem to find the words, there is no right or wrong way to express your love for your child. It can be as simple as, “I love you, I accept you, and I will support you no matter what.”
Remember they are still the person you held when they were just born and the same child who still leaves their clothes on the floor, but “they have just chosen to love someone who is the same sex or they are not the same gender they were given,” Orey said.
鼓励对话和谈话
Most of the challenges of parenting teens can be solved with talking, but if you are a parent of a teen, you know this can be hard—downright impossible.不要放弃。他们可能永远不会承认你，但他们真的希望能够与你谈论他们的生活发生了什么。
一种接近与青少年的主题和对话的夫妇是通过不太直接的方式，例如在电视节目上揭示或者要求温和的开放式问题，看看他们是否参加诱饵。
如果您的孩子开始开放，抵制提出问题或提供建议的诱惑 - 除非他们向他们征求或向他们开放。向他们展示你不会判断，批评他们的感受或告诉他们他们是如何“应该”的感受。
注意标志s of Bullying and Low Self-Esteem
作为父母的主要职责之一是确保您的孩子的安全，如果您有LGBTQ +青少年，这可能更具挑战性。LGBTQ青年和被认为是LGBTQ的人，患有的风险增加bullied.
According to a2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 33% of students who self-identified as LGB reported having been bullied on school grounds and 27.1% of them have been cyberbullied in the past year (compared to 17.1% and 13.3% of their heterosexual peers).
“Bullying puts youth at a greater risk for depression, suicidal ideation, risky sexual behavior, especially for LGBTQ teens,” Orey said.
留在孩子的生命中，与他们的朋友见面，继续进行对话，并展示他们如何度过他们的一天。如果您开始注意到行为，纪律，学术界下降的变化，以及向医生联系，则为许可behavioral health specialist，指导顾问或学校管理员提供帮助。
Connect Them With LGBTQ+ Support Groups, Organizations and Resources
Empower your teen to connect with LGBTQ+ organizations, support groups and events to meet other people like them. LGBTQ and gay-straight organizations like the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network已经显示出来to positively address inequality and enhance LGBTQ student performance.
There are also plenty of books, movies and other forms of media that display gender diversity in a positive light and can help your child feel more comfortable, confident and empowered to be who they are.
Educate Yourself
Reach out for education, resources and support groups if you feel the need to have a better understanding of your youth’s experience. Making an effort will help your child feel more supported.
“Learn the language and issues your teen might be facing, educate yourself more about your child’s journey and talk to other parents with an LGBTQ child,” Orey said.
Remember, the greatest gift you can give your teen is love. No matter how they identify or when they tell you, be there for them and accept them for who they are.
Check out these helpful resources for more parenting advice and support:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for youth resources
- 儿童福利信息门户, for resources intended for LGBTQ+ youth and their families
- PFLAG, first and largest organization for LGBTQ+ people and their allies
- 特雷弗项目，对于LGBTQ青少年的父母，家人和朋友
