The expression of our sexual orientations and gender identities shape who we are as individuals. Celebrating these differences is a vital step towards building greater levels of acceptance and belonging within our communities. Unfortunately, many teenagers who are members of the LGBTQ2S+ community are fearful and apprehensive when it comes to expressing themselves publicly.
One of the primary causes of this issue is the upbringing of many parents, who were raised in a time when heterosexuality was the social norm, and there was little to no education regarding different sexual orientations and gender identities. In order to thrive from an earlier age, children need to understand that their families love and accept them for who they are. Sadly, for many LGBTQ2S+ youths, their biggest obstacle is being comfortable with coming out to their parents.
Showing support and unconditional love for your LGBTQ2S+ teen is the most effective way of allowing them to feel proud of who they are and accepted within their community.
Establish an Inclusive Homelife
From an early age, children learn from their parents’ beliefs and how they act in certain situations. They learn from how their parents treat others and whether or not they are quick to judge somebody based on their disparities. A lot of teenagers are afraid to express themselves for the fear that they may not be accepted by the people whose opinion matters most to them – their mother and father.
For children to feel comfortable with themselves and with their families, it is crucial for parents to establish a safe space at home that supports inclusivity and belonging. Some ways of accomplishing this include:
- Supporting and celebrating diversity in all forms
- Encouraging your children to express themselves however they’d like
- Promoting open and honest communication
- Strongly condemning the use of any inappropriate slurs or jokes regarding sexual orientation or gender identity
However, the easiest and most effective way of supporting your kids is to constantly reassure them that you will love them unconditionally and will always have their back no matter what the circumstances may be.
Become Educated
In order to show support for the youth members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, it is important to familiarize yourself with LGBTQ2S+ culture. Conducting research on the topic will allow you to become more aware and informed, which will allow you to have more thoughtful conversations with your teen regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
It is important to come to the realization early on that sexuality is not a choice, it is a part of our identity and therefore should be celebrated. Sadly, there are a lot of people who do not share this mentality and as a result, many teenagers suffer from abuse which can lead to serious mental health issues. Learning more about LGBTQ2S+ culture and inclusion will allow you to relate to your child on an emotional level, and provide them with a strong support system.
Engage in Conversation
Maintaining healthy conversations and building trust with your teen can give you a lot of insight into what’s going on in their life. Go out of your way to strike up conversations about their interests and how they choose to express themselves (e.g. their friends, clothes, hobbies, etc.). It takes time and effort to build a healthy relationship with your kids but at the end of the day, there is nothing more important than a child feeling comfortable opening up to their parents about what is going on in their lives.
Even if you do not fully understand the LGBTQ2S+ culture or how to speak to your teen about the topic, there are plenty of people who do. Providing your child with the proper resources and connecting them with local LGBTQ2S+ organizations can go a long way. Even though there are plenty of supportive and informative resources available for LGBTQ2S+ teens, it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children feel a sense of belonging and acceptance within their community.
For more information on how to support your LGBTQ2S+ teen, chat with our iHealthOX Care Team to get started.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/tips-for-parents-of-lgbtq-youth
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