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Lately, our family has been dealing with a lot of questions about transgender issues and LGBTQ awareness<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re interested in raising children who are sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ community, this blog post is for you<\/span>!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n An ally is someone who advocates for their friends, family members, and the community. To increase your family’s LGBTQ awareness, here are some simple tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Ask them! As a parent, I have instilled in my children the values I hold dear. But how do we know our words are sinking in? We have regular conversations. There’s always room to ask questions. We clarify things they don\u2019t understand or have heard from another source (I\u2019m looking at you, YOUtube). <\/span><\/p>\n Sure, it\u2019s a little uncomfortable to strike up a convo on tough topics. See if you can find ways to incorporate LGBTQ awareness into regular activities. <\/span><\/p>\n Social media works to your advantage on this one. I’ll find a good conversation starter on Facebook, then tell whatever kid is in the room to \u201cCome here; this is so cool!\u201d. <\/span>It might be this video<\/a> by Lindsey Amer which explains what LGBTQ means and is part of a series called Queer Kid Stuff<\/em><\/span>. Sure, they might roll their eyes and inform you, \u201cI already know this, mom!\u201d But you\u2019ve let them know you\u2019re open to talking about it in the future (and who knows if they already knew?!).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n My point? Kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for! <\/span>Instead of going the roundabout way of discussing sexuality<\/a> or gender identity, say it already<\/span>! Not feeling your sea legs on this one? You need practice! <\/span>The New York School of Medicine\u2019s Child Study Center suggests<\/a> practicing these conversations with your spouse, friend, or another family member<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThese are often difficult topics to broach, and speaking <\/span>frankly<\/span> with your child about sex and sexuality does not come <\/span>naturally<\/span> to most people<\/span>. Your child will pick up on and respond to your level of comfort with the topic.\u201d – NYU School of Medicine, Child Study Center<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The practice won\u2019t make perfect, but that\u2019s ok! Your kids are bound to throw you a million curveballs in life, and this might be one of those times. Stay true to your values and be an LGBTQ ally. Because trying to be a good person is what matters. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Now, I know that everyone reading this blog is as progressive and open-minded as the best of \u2018em, but you\u2019re likely carrying around some subconscious prejudice<\/span>. <\/span>LGBTQ awareness is about checking in with our oh-so-enlightened selves to make sure we aren\u2019t <\/span>inadvertently<\/span> reinforcing stereotypes in the ways we talk, act, and move through life with our children<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n For example, I use gender-neutral language with my kids when we talk about things like dating, marriage, and relationships<\/span>. Instead of referring to my daughter\u2019s potential future partner as \u201che,\u201d I use \u201cthey.\u201d I also say, \u201cWhoever you decide to marry\u201d instead of \u201cWhoever your husband is.\u201d <\/span>A friend of mine recently shared with me that whenever she started dating someone new, her mother would say, \u201cSo, tell me about him or her<\/span>!\u201d <\/span>Even though it was embarrassing for her at the time (and there never was a \u201cher\u201d), it let my friend know that her mom was supportive \u2013 and an LGBTQ ally<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s important that pejoratives like, \u201cthat\u2019s so gay!\u201d or calling someone \u201chomo\u201d are anti-LGBTQ. LGBTQ awareness fights back against these stereotypes!<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Even if your kids don\u2019t use that language, they <\/span>are exposed<\/span> to it at school or elsewhere in the community. <\/span><\/p>\n As WelcomingSchools.org<\/a> points out, when children see anti-LGBTQ of behavior in school, and it is not corrected, it sends the message that it\u2019s acceptable<\/span><\/strong>.<\/strong> It also teaches LGBTQ youth that they cannot expect protection at school. <\/span>Explaining to your children how bad this language can be is a critical step in shaping them as <\/span>kind and empathetic citizens<\/span><\/a>, so make a list of words that are harmful and ban them in your home and family life<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n 2022 edit: A reader who runs an LGBTQ youth group recently let me know they’ve been finding this LGBTQ resources link<\/a> helpful, should you have an older child. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Curated lists of LGBTQ supportive books for kids of any age to enjoy are a Google search away. <\/span>I honed in on A Peacock Among Pigeons<\/a> by Tyler Curry, which is an LGBTQ themed book that explains how to stand out when you can\u2019t fit it<\/span>. I also liked The Boy Who Cried Fabulous<\/a> by Leslea Newman. <\/span>This book shares the story of Roger, who loves exploring the world around him and finds most things \u201cfabulous<\/span>!\u201d But his parents don\u2019t agree, and they want Roger to see the world as they see it, so they ban the word from his vocabulary. Check it out to discover its fabulous ending! <\/span><\/p>\n You can also see the Advocate\u2019s list of 21 LGBT Picture Books Everyone Should Read<\/a> for more great books.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Whether you want your kids to be LGBTQ activists or have LGBTQ awareness, getting involved in local events can benefit everyone<\/span>. Pride Month is a great time to get involved, and there are a lot of family friendly activities. Find a family friendly LGBTQ event near you here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Remember that raising healthy, educated<\/a> children takes a little effort and a lot of understanding<\/span>. <\/span>There will be hard conversations for sure, but, showing your kids that you\u2019re willing to listen and respond to their needs makes all the difference in the world<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Editor’s Note: Know someone who is struggling with addiction and identifies as LGBTQ? Here’s a wonderful resource<\/a> for them.<\/p>\n 2023 Editor’s Note: choosingtherapy.com<\/a> has a great searchable database of LGTBQIA+ therapists.<\/p>\n Whatever you do, promise me you won\u2019t put tough topics on the back burner. I know you can do this.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n XOXO,<\/span><\/p>\n M<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \tHeck, what\u2019s an <\/span>LGBTQ ally<\/span><\/a><\/span>?? <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
It\u2019s someone who supports the civil rights of the LGBTQ community.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Five Way You Can Raise An LBTQ Awareness Ally<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
1. DON\u2019T ASSUME WHAT YOUR KIDS DO OR DO NOT KNOW<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2. BE BLUNT! YOUR KIDS CAN HANDLE IT<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Any school-age child knows feedback isn’t always nice and warm. Peers and some of their teachers likely haven\u2019t mastered the skill of being kind all the time. While I praise my daughter\u2019s leadership and organization skills, her peers tell her she\u2019s \u201cbossy.\u201d When I point out my son\u2019s mensch-like qualities, he hears a \u201cgoody-two-shoes\u201d jab by a classmate.<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR REINFORCING STEREOTYPES (AND FIX THEM!)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
4. START READING \u2014 Keep Reading<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
5. Get Involved In Your Local LGBTQ Community<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
You Can Do Hard Things<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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