Resources for Parents

For Parents, Guardians, and Family Members

All youth require a safe home and social support to mature and develop the skills needed to transition to adulthood. Among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other diverse identities (LGBTQ+) youth, having affirming families and friends is associated with improved mental health and better child welfare outcomes. Find resources in this section intended to help families support their LGBTQ+ youth; understand what to expect; and learn how to talk about a number of issues that may be impacting their youth.

• Advocates for Youth (AFY): Are you an Askable Parent?
  AFY provides lesson plans, tips and strategies, background information, and additional resources to help youth-serving professionals create safe space for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

• American Psychological Association: Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  Accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation.

• The Family Acceptance Project
  The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education, and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBT children and youth.

• HealthyChildren.org: Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBT Teens
  “Coming out” is a lifelong journey of understanding, acknowledging and sharing one’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation with others.

• Kidshealth.org: Sexual Attraction and Orientation
  Information for parents on how youth experience sexual attraction and orientation, as well as how you as a parent or guardian may feel about and deal with youth on this topic.

• PFLAG
  Information about PFLAG’s confidential peer support and education in communities.

• Parents’ Influence on the Health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens: What Parents and Families Should Know
  Information on how parents can promote positive health outcomes for their LGB teen.

• SAMHSA: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
  This resource guide was developed to help practitioners who work in a wide range of settings to understand the critical role of family acceptance and rejection in contributing to the health and well-being of adolescents who identify as LGBT.

• StopBullying.gov: Information for Parents
  Parents play a key role in preventing and responding to bullying. If you know or suspect that your child is involved in bullying, here are several resources that may help.

• Youth.gov: Electronic Aggression
  Increased access to technology has benefits, but it also can increase the risk of abuse.​