23: What Parents Can Do to Support LGBTQ Youth

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jessica Weissbuch is the founder of Brave Trails, a summer camp for LGBTQ youth to build self-esteem, leadership skills, and life-long friends. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and focused her academic life on studying LGBTQ+ youth affirmative therapy practices. In this week’s episode, Jessica talks about how parents can be an LGBTQ ally even if your child is out or not. She also discusses ways to bring the conversation to your household so that there is acceptance and love for who your child is, and for who they may love. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Takeaways</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How do you position yourself as an ally for the LGBTQ community? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">If your child is out, how do you build a deeper connection with them? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Asking your child if they have a [opposite gender] relationship can make them feel uncomfortable. Maybe they’re just not attracted to the opposite sex yet. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Get yourself a positive LGBTQ therapist. Don’t be afraid to interview a couple of them to get the right one! </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Isolation is a big thing you want to avoid. And to avoid that, you have to do research and make sure the people around your child are supportive and understanding. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How do you find the right LGBTQ resources? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Look for inspiring LGBTQ role models. These are people who are walking their walk and speaking their truth. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" a