Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth
““LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult were 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year.” ”
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth
Anyone spending time with children knows that they have the unique ability to surprise their caregivers at every turn. Watching a young person grow, blossom, and look curiously at their place in the world is a moving thing to behold. And, of course, some revelations about a child's identity resonate more strongly in their lives than others. When a child comes out to their families or important people in their lives as LGBTQ, that person's reaction might stick with the child for the rest of their lives.
It is important to know what your resources are to help you navigate a response to news that may come as a surprise, as well as resources to help you support your child after they share that part of themselves with you. According to the Trevor Project, "LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult were 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year." If your child or your student has come out to you, the first thing to do is to be supportive.
It's ok if you don't know everything. You might be told terms or ideas that you've never heard before, or sound made-up. Luckily, there are lots of places you can go to learn about what your child is going through and discover communities of people who can help. Here are some reputable places to go if you are looking for the best ways to support an LGBTQ child in your life:
LGBT Research and Resources:
Coming Out Support:
Resources for Trans Children:
Books for Youth Audiences:
Books for Adult Audiences: