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.
Key Takeaways
- How do you position yourself as an ally for the LGBTQ community?
- If your child is out, how do you build a deeper connection with them?
- 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.
- Get yourself a positive LGBTQ therapist. Don’t be afraid to interview a couple of them to get the right one!
- 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.
- How do you find the right LGBTQ resources?
- Look for inspiring LGBTQ role models. These are people who are walking their walk and speaking their truth.
- How do you create a safe space for your child to come out or be able to express their attractions?
- Sometimes when a child comes out, it is such a shock because they’re so ‘stereotypically’ female or male.
- Parents do have a support group to better understand and show up for their LGBTQ child!
- Jessica shares a little bit about Camp Brave Trails and why it’s been such a positive place for youth.
Quotes:
“Isolation is the root of a lot of anxiety and depression.”
“Representation matters. When I was young and coming out, there was no one in the media that was out and open.”
“Be patient with yourself as parents. As long as you are trying, as long as you’re there to support, give yourself some grace.”
