Silen Wellington (they/he) has served as the LGBTQ+ Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County, CO for the last two years. Their work involves training and education, inclusivity consultation, local advocacy, and direct peer support services to LGBTQ+ youth. Silen believes every young person needs a space to explore who they are and be witnessed for their unique gifts. Silen’s background is in psychology and music composition, and they are passionate about mental health, advocacy, and community building.
Key Takeaways
- The more inclusive the environments are that we create, the less likely LGBTQ+ teens will feel isolated and alone
- How to guide your teen to find their communities and support outside the home
- LGBTQ+ teens are constantly looking for signals on whether or not they will be safe in social situations
- When you give your support and offer comfort, LGBTQ+ teens are more likely to come out to you because they feel safe
- Parents often consider that it’s just a phase or something that can be fixed, and that’s not true. That message is invalidating and dismissive.
- Provide a safe place so they can figure out who they are and how they feel
- Be authentic as a parent in sharing your support
- Get knowledgeable as a parent so you can understand their world and engage with them in a positive and supportive way
- Give your teen the power to share with others that they are coming out, when they’re ready
- Don’t be afraid to ask your teen how they would like to be identified; new words and descriptions are evolving, and your teen may be changing the way they want to be addressed. Be patient as they work through it. Approach it with curiosity.
