3 Ways to Support Your Child this Pride Month

Happy Pride Month! Having a supportive family can be a lifesaver during difficult times and helps provide a strong foundation from which children can safely discover and build their identities. Here are a few tips for cultivating inclusive parenting that can be used whether or not your child identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community!

Remember, there is no “default.” No one way to parent works for every family and there is also no one way to live and express ourselves as people. There are often invisible expectations put on us that can make being a part of the LGBTQ+ community feel like something different or “other”. Many youth who are a part of the community feel like they have to “come out” to their family and friends because otherwise it is assumed that they are heterosexual and cisgender.

Instead of asking your teen son if they like any girls or your daughter if they like any boys, you could ask, “Are you interested in anyone? What do you like about them?” Using neutral terms can help give your child the space they need to be themselves and build their own identity. You can also consider if there may be activities, clothing, or behaviors that your child may not have been given the opportunity to explore because of their birth sex and make sure that opportunities aren’t being accidentally blocked from them because of stereotypes. Everyone expresses themselves and experiences life in different ways.