Advice for gay teens

But I want you to hear from me—someone who teaches parents for a living, someone who was married to a gay man, someone who has kids nearing puberty who are experiencing crushes—I know that you did the best you could with what you had. These parents love their kids.

Those feelings are normal. And I hate that. In a heartbeat! He knows they did the best they could at the time, and they have a positive relationship today. Raising kids is beautiful. And to be clear, they should have.

Make sure your teen gets the mental health support they need Because LGBTQ+ teens are especially vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and suicide, they may need the support of a mental health professional. 8 great resources to help parents and families support, love, and care for LGBTQ+ teens as they share their identity with more people.

Through its Response for Teens, JCFS Chicago Provides Information, Education, Support and More for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and/or Questioning) Youth, Young Adults and Their Families and Allies.

It hurts. And these parents, and their kids, are in pain.

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My guess is that you did the best with what you had. No one handed you a book when your kid was born to teach you how to have conversations about sexuality and sexual attraction. And last, and very importantly, please do not mourn in front of your teen.

Your child is hurting enough, and if they see you mourning, that might add to their feelings of shame. So feel it. Find other parents of gay teens to connect with. Fraught with joy and worry and uncertainty. The Trevor Project offers crisis counseling for LGBTQ+ youth.

There is no scientific evidence for the theories that less-than-perfect relationships with parents leads to people developing same-sex attractions. They love their son. Regardless of how good of a parent you were, your kid was going to one day realize they are experience attractions to people of the same-sex.

No parent wishes that their child will have a painful, rock-bottom experience. And painful.

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And he loves them! Feel your feelings. Do some processing with your therapist. I bet the same is true of you, and I hope one day you get to hear the same things from your child. Talk to your spouse or a close friend. The Enemy has been conspiring carefully and cleverly for a long time.