For Parents

Happy Gender Project

PFLAG

Learning that your child is queer or trans can be a difficult concept to grasp and accept. But if you're here on this webpage, you've gotten to the first step: wanting to learn more to support and understand your child. Thank you for keeping an open mind and doing the difficult work of learning about a complex topic. While it may seem scary or challenging,

where should you start?

If all the terms in "Alphabet Soup" are a little overwhelming, check out our "Definitions" page.

If your child recently came out as transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, or another gender variation, this guide is for you.

If you're not sure how to talk to your child who just came out to you, try this article, or any of these:

If you need a comprehensive, all-your-questions-answered guide, check out this amazing resource put together specifically for family members of queer youth.

If you need to talk to a counselor trained on LGBTQIA+ topics, you can find help by phone or by text at this link.

supporting queer kids

How can you support your child? Needs will vary among different children, parents, and family situations, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer that will apply to all queer kids. But there are some resources we've gathered for you that can help you understand more about the importance of a parent's support during this tumultuous time in your child's life. Check them out!

SAMHSA - Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children

CDC - Parents' Influence on the Health of LGBT Teens

Advocates for Youth - Are You an Askable Parent?

Human Rights Campaign - Transgender Children & Youth: Understanding the Basics

Helping Families Support Their LGBT Children

Believe Out Loud - To Christian Parents of Gay Children (Christian-focused resource)