Supporting Your LGBTQ Child

Family support and acceptance increases positive outcomes for LGBTQ youth.  Learn how to show true love and support for the LGBTQ young person in your life.

Families play a critical role in creating schools that support and nurture LGBTQ+ youth.  GSAFE works in collaboration with the parents and family members of LGBTQ+ youth to learn how to better understand the needs of their children, create an inclusive, supportive family environment, and be an advocate in their child’s schools if issues (such as bullying) arise.

Unfortunately, youth who are targets of anti-LGBT bullying and gender harassment – regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity – often are at greater risk for negative physical, mental, and academic outcomes.

PFLAG is a national organization with local chapters that has been providing support to families of LGBTQ+ youth for many years.  Visit their page here to find a chapter near you.

Gender Spectrum is a California-based organization that provides training and resources to families of transgender and nonbinary children.  Check out their resources for families here.

The Family Acceptance Project provides an evidence-based family model of wellness, prevention and care to strengthen families and promote positive development and healthy futures for LGBT children and youth.  Their research works to help diverse families learn to love and accept their LGBT children.  View their website here.

Acceptance Journeys

There are a growing number of groups for parents and guardians of transgender and nonbinary youth in Wisconsin.  Known groups include:

  • TransParent Group (Madison area)
  • MKE Parents of Trans Kids (Milwaukee area)
  • NE Wisconsin (NEW) Affirming Trans-Parent (Fox Valley area) – Email Kathy Flores at kflores@diverseandresilient.org for more info.

For more local Wisconsin resources, visit our links page here.

New research demonstrates what we have long known: the rejection of LGBTQ youth by parents and family members leads to increased negative outcomes including lower self esteem, higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, higher rates of depression of depression and self-harm (including suicide), and other high risk behaviors.