5 ways parents can celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with their children 1. Create an open and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ individuals at home!
As children develop, they begin to explore and consume the sociocultural and societal expectations of gender roles and norms. Adult caregivers can support the healthy exploration of gender expression by creating a safe and empathetic learning environment for their kids to experiment, role-play and ask questions regarding gender roles and identity. “We want to teach kids that their experience of gender can be joyful - open to experimentation and play.”
Here are few tips from the gender-spectrum website on how caregivers can foster a healthy environment for their kids to explore gender expression and identity:
▪"When you see media depicting gender, ask questions that encourage critical thinking: “Why is the mom the one making dinner and serving it?” “Who is strong in that show?” “Who is kind?”
▪"Question and explore your own biases. For example, how do you feel about boys who wear nail polish, and girls who want to shop in the boy’s department for clothes? What messages about gender expression were you given as a child?"
▪"Mix up gender language when reading stories to your kids."For more general tips and information on healthy gender expression in kids you can visit the gender spectrum website.
2. Attend Pride and LGBTQ+ events and use it as a tool for discussion!
Before heading to a Pride parade or LGBTQ+ themed event, talk to your children about the history of gay and transgender rights in an age-appropriate way. Frame the discussion around Pride not just being a big party - but a celebration of LGBTQ+ people’s freedom to be and express themselves authentically and to honor the people who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights. Prepping your kids beforehand by discussing and reading child-friendly LGBTQ+ content can help to ensure that they are respectful of queer people at these events. “Kids have a tendency to point and ask questions when they’re exposed to new things, and you don’t want people celebrating Pride to become a convenient life lesson for your children.” You can read the full article on things to consider when taking your children to Pride here:
Here is a list of some family-friendly LGBTQ+ events going on in the bay area this summer.
3. Read LGBTQ+ children’s books with your kids!
Through reading LGBTQ+ material with your children and allowing them a safe space to share their thoughts and ask questions regarding gender roles and sexual identity, parents can help normalize an open and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in their household.
A comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ children’s books broken down by age group is [here]
4. Send your kids (or attend with them!) to a camp that honors and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community!
Here are a few LGBTQ+-friendly summer camps across California:
1. Camp Indigo
"Camp Indigo was founded on the belief that trans and gender diverse kids deserve a 'normal' summer day camp experience."
2. Camp It Up
"Since 1990, CIU! has offered programming that affirms, embraces, and celebrates LGBTQAI+ families, LGBTQAI+ children and teens, and their allies; honoring the uniqueness of every family."
3. Brave Trails
"Camp Brave Trails is a leadership focused, overnight summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-18."
Here you can find a more comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ friendly camps
5. Join a Support Group!
LGBTQ+ youth support group
Parent Support Group of Transgender youth
Rainbow Families: Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth and Their Families
https://rainbowfamiliesbayarea.org/
PFLAG
PFLAG is a national organization that offers support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies. Whether you're a parent with questions or a young person looking for a safe space, PFLAG provides local groups, helpful resources, and a welcoming community. Everyone is accepted just as they are.
Visit PFLAG to learn more or find support near you ›
As children develop, they begin to explore and consume the sociocultural and societal expectations of gender roles and norms. Adult caregivers can support the healthy exploration of gender expression by creating a safe and empathetic learning environment for their kids to experiment, role-play and ask questions regarding gender roles and identity. “We want to teach kids that their experience of gender can be joyful - open to experimentation and play.”
Here are few tips from the gender-spectrum website on how caregivers can foster a healthy environment for their kids to explore gender expression and identity:
▪"When you see media depicting gender, ask questions that encourage critical thinking: “Why is the mom the one making dinner and serving it?” “Who is strong in that show?” “Who is kind?”
▪"Question and explore your own biases. For example, how do you feel about boys who wear nail polish, and girls who want to shop in the boy’s department for clothes? What messages about gender expression were you given as a child?"
▪"Mix up gender language when reading stories to your kids."For more general tips and information on healthy gender expression in kids you can visit the gender spectrum website.
2. Attend Pride and LGBTQ+ events and use it as a tool for discussion!
Before heading to a Pride parade or LGBTQ+ themed event, talk to your children about the history of gay and transgender rights in an age-appropriate way. Frame the discussion around Pride not just being a big party - but a celebration of LGBTQ+ people’s freedom to be and express themselves authentically and to honor the people who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights. Prepping your kids beforehand by discussing and reading child-friendly LGBTQ+ content can help to ensure that they are respectful of queer people at these events. “Kids have a tendency to point and ask questions when they’re exposed to new things, and you don’t want people celebrating Pride to become a convenient life lesson for your children.” You can read the full article on things to consider when taking your children to Pride here:
Here is a list of some family-friendly LGBTQ+ events going on in the bay area this summer.
3. Read LGBTQ+ children’s books with your kids!
Through reading LGBTQ+ material with your children and allowing them a safe space to share their thoughts and ask questions regarding gender roles and sexual identity, parents can help normalize an open and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in their household.
A comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ children’s books broken down by age group is [here]
4. Send your kids (or attend with them!) to a camp that honors and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community!
Here are a few LGBTQ+-friendly summer camps across California:
1. Camp Indigo
"Camp Indigo was founded on the belief that trans and gender diverse kids deserve a 'normal' summer day camp experience."
2. Camp It Up
"Since 1990, CIU! has offered programming that affirms, embraces, and celebrates LGBTQAI+ families, LGBTQAI+ children and teens, and their allies; honoring the uniqueness of every family."
3. Brave Trails
"Camp Brave Trails is a leadership focused, overnight summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-18."
Here you can find a more comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ friendly camps
5. Join a Support Group!
LGBTQ+ youth support group
Parent Support Group of Transgender youth
Rainbow Families: Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth and Their Families
https://rainbowfamiliesbayarea.org/
PFLAG
PFLAG is a national organization that offers support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies. Whether you're a parent with questions or a young person looking for a safe space, PFLAG provides local groups, helpful resources, and a welcoming community. Everyone is accepted just as they are.
Visit PFLAG to learn more or find support near you ›
A Field Guide for parents of trans kids written by a parent of a trans kid
The must-have book for any adult who cares for or teaches an LGBTQ+ child:
In her groundbreaking first book, Gender Born, Gender Made, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft coined the term gender creative to describe children whose unique gender expression or sense of identity is not defined by a checkbox on their birth certificate. Now, with The Gender Creative Child, she returns to guide parents and professionals through the rapidly changing cultural, medical, and legal landscape of gender and identity.
In this up-to-date, comprehensive resource, Dr. Ehrensaft explains the interconnected effects of biology, nurture, and culture to explore why gender can be fluid, rather than binary. As an advocate for the gender affirmative model and with the expertise she has gained over three decades of pioneering work with children and families, she encourages caregivers to listen to each child, learn their particular needs, and support their quest for a true gender self.
The Gender Creative Child unlocks the door to a gender-expansive world, revealing pathways for positive change in our schools, our communities, and the world.
In this up-to-date, comprehensive resource, Dr. Ehrensaft explains the interconnected effects of biology, nurture, and culture to explore why gender can be fluid, rather than binary. As an advocate for the gender affirmative model and with the expertise she has gained over three decades of pioneering work with children and families, she encourages caregivers to listen to each child, learn their particular needs, and support their quest for a true gender self.
The Gender Creative Child unlocks the door to a gender-expansive world, revealing pathways for positive change in our schools, our communities, and the world.
Books/Videos for children and the whole family
"I am Jazz" A reality show about a transgender teen girl. This first episode alone addresses body-image, self-esteem, hormone blockers, and dealing with transphobia as and normalizes everyday life for a teen and her family.
Grades 8+
This powerful and moving graphic novel about 14-year-old Aiden Navarro who is biracial (white and Filipino) explores a boy's discovery of his own sexual orientation and the struggles he faces in one summer at boy scout camp. Addressing difficult themes such as anti-gay policies in the boy scouts, homophobia, and suicidality, this book is a shining light for how acceptance from those close to us can help a questioning youth find himself again.
This powerful and moving graphic novel about 14-year-old Aiden Navarro who is biracial (white and Filipino) explores a boy's discovery of his own sexual orientation and the struggles he faces in one summer at boy scout camp. Addressing difficult themes such as anti-gay policies in the boy scouts, homophobia, and suicidality, this book is a shining light for how acceptance from those close to us can help a questioning youth find himself again.
Since 1979, Family Equality has been providing support for LBGTQ+ families in various ways. They have virtual parenting groups and educational events in which families and children can connect with another, learn, and have fun all over the country!
Resources To Become Parents
Family Equality has partnered with the organization, Fertility IQ, to help transgender and non-conforming members of the LGBTQ+ community who are interested in becoming parents with resources. For more information, click here.
Kid Videos!
You can also find LGBTQ+ kid friendly singing and reading videos. Watch one here!
Parent Support Groups in the Bay Area
San Francisco: https://ourfamily.org/family-support/playgroups/
Resources To Become Parents
Family Equality has partnered with the organization, Fertility IQ, to help transgender and non-conforming members of the LGBTQ+ community who are interested in becoming parents with resources. For more information, click here.
Kid Videos!
You can also find LGBTQ+ kid friendly singing and reading videos. Watch one here!
Parent Support Groups in the Bay Area
San Francisco: https://ourfamily.org/family-support/playgroups/