Although there are a wide variety of experiences that parents, families and friends of people who are LGBTQI have when they “find out,” there are some common themes when it comes to their responses and behaviors. Below are just a few of the “do’s” and “don’ts” that are worth noting for those of us at the beginning of our journey.
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Do listen to what your loved one’s life is like, and what kind of experiences he or she has had in the world. Do take the time to seek information about the lives of GLBT people from parents of GLBT people, friends of your loved one, literature, and, most of all, directly from your loved one. Do get professional help for anyone in the family, including yourself, who becomes severely depressed over your loved one’s sexuality or gender identity. Do accept that you are responsible for your negative reactions. Do respect your loved one’s right to engage in loving relationships. Do try to develop trust and openness by allowing your loved one to be who she or he is without pressure. Do be proud of your loved one’s capacity for having loving relationships. Do look for the injured feelings underneath the anger and respond to them. Do defend him or her against discrimination. Do support your loved one’s individual goals, even though they may differ drastically from your own.. Do say “I love you.” |
Don’t blame your own feelings on your loved one. Don’t rush the process of trying to understand your loved one’s sexuality or gender identity. Don’t assume that your loved one should see a professional counselor or encourage them to participate in “reparative therapy.” Don’t criticize your loved one for being different. Don’t criticize your loved one for being different. Don’t try to break up loving relationships. Don’t try to force your loved one to conform to your ideas of proper sexual behavior. Don’t blame yourself because your loved one is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Don’t demand that your loved one live up to what your idea of what a man or woman should be. Don’t discriminate against your loved one. Don’t force your own life goals on your loved one Don’t insist that your morality is the only right one. |