Research shows that family support of each child’s authentic self is key to a child’s ability to thrive. It is important to note that research also shows that when a child experiences family and peer rejection due to either their sexual orientation or non-conforming gender identity, it can contribute to depression, suicidal ideation and other negative health outcomes. The resources and information on this page are intended to help parents, and caregivers in their efforts to support gender inclusiveness and sexual orientation diversity so that all youth can live healthy, fulfilling lives. For instructions to view this website in Spanish, click on en Español.

Families Connected Resources

Expert advice for parents and families of LGBTQ+ youth

Featured parent and expert blogs

• Family Support & Acceptance: Critical Factors for LGBTQ+ Youth Well-Being by Cindy Byrne

• LGBTQ+: My Perspective as a Mother and Therapist by Linda Reeves, MA, LMFT

• Things I Wish I Knew: Helping Your Highly Sensitive Teen by a Manhattan Beach mom

• Fighting Bullying From Within by Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq.

Why is acceptance so important?

LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide. Affirming transgender and nonbinary youth by respecting their pronouns and allowing them to change legal documents is associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.(Source: The Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health, 2022).

Extensive research shows that transgender youth with supportive parents “report higher life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and better mental health, including less depression and fewer suicide attempts than those without strong parental support”. Parents will naturally have many questions and deep emotions around a child’s coming out. Seeking information and support for themselves will better equip parents to be the most effective supporters and advocates for their LGBTQ loved one. (Source: MAP - Movement Advancement Project)

Understanding gender identity

While our gender may begin with the assignment of our sex, it doesn’t end there. A person’s gender is the complex interrelationship between three dimensions:

– Body: our body, our experience of our own body, how society genders bodies, and how others interact with us based on our body.

– Identity: our deeply held, internal sense of self as male, female, a blend of both, or neither.

– Expression: how we present our gender in the world and how society, culture, community, and family perceive, interact with, and try to shape our gender. Gender expression is also related to gender roles and how society uses those roles to try to enforce conformity to current gender norms.

Each of these dimensions can vary greatly across a range of possibilities. A person’s comfort in their gender is related to the degree to which these three dimensions feel in harmony. Let’s explore each of these dimensions in a little more detail. (Source: Gender Spectrum)

Related resources for parents and guardians

Resources for teens

Curated Gallery of Resources

Clicking on the logos, images, and links below will take you out of the Families Connected website and to the online resource indicated. Families Connected is not affiliated with these organizations, nor have these organizations paid to have their resources shared here. Families Connected will remain open in your browser.

Getting the support you need

With over 400 chapters nationally, there is bound to be a PFLAG support group near you. Click on either the logo or image below to go to the PFLAG website and access their chapter finder. Confidential support is available for both parents and teens.

PFLAG South Bay/Manhattan Beach is the extended family of the LGBTQ+ community in the South Bay. They provide monthly Support Groups for parents, caregivers, family and loved ones of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-binary, queer and questioning individuals.

Recommended National LGBTQ+ Resources 

Gender spectrum helps to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. Explore topics, access resources, and download the parent handbook. Great articles, including Affirming Parenting Practices.

The Trevor project provides extensive support to LGBTQ+ youth. This link will take you to a comprehensive resource page to find answers to frequently asked questions and explore resources related to sexual orientation and gender identity. 

It Gets Better Project is a non-profit which offers thousands of free It Gets Better© videos shared with them by LGBTQ+ youth, along with their original content series. 

Launched by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), the Biden Foundation, and Gender Spectrum, “Advancing Acceptance” raises awareness of the importance of family and community acceptance in the lives of transgender and gender diverse youth. You will find helpful resources on this website including an outstanding parent guide entitled, Talking About Family Acceptance and Transgender Youth.

Recommended national shows and documentaries

Click HERE to watch a Today show episode featuring two family’s stories about how to best support your LGBTQ+ child. The video also offers expert advice from Linda K. Reeves, LMFT, whom we feature in our SBFC video at the top of this page.

Filmed over five years in Kansas City, Transhood chronicles the lives of four young people (aged 4, 7, 12, and 15 at the start of filming) and their families as they navigate growing up transgender in America’s heartland. (HBO). Complementing the premiere of HBO original TRANSHOOD, the TRANSlation Summit continues the conversation around the transgender experience, further educating viewers and promoting inclusivity. 

National articles

• How to Support Kids Who are Questioning (Child Mind Institute)

• My Son Became My Daughter (Grown and Flown)

• Supporting Transgender Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Psychology Today)

• How to Support Your LGBTQ+ Kid When He, She or They Come Out (Good Housekeeping)

• Thoughts Of Suicide, Other Mental Health Struggles Still High For LGBTQ Youth (NPR)

• What Teachers Can Do To Be More Inclusive Of LGBTQ Students (KQED/MindShift)

• 5 Questions: Tandy Aye On What Transgender Teens Need From Their Parents (Stanford Medicine)

• How Parents Can Support Their Transgender Teens (Greater Good Magazine)

• How to Support LGBTQ+ Children (Child Mind Institute)

• Bettering Mental Health Outcomes for LGBTQ+ Youth (NAMI)

• Your Guide to Identities that Aren’t L, G, B, T, & Q (Bustle)

• 21 LGBTQ+ Authors On The Books They Wish They’d Had As Teenagers (Bustle)

• How to Support LGBTQ Children (Child Mind Institute)

Online Community and Support

TheTrevor Support Center offers a 24/7 Life line, online instant messaging with a TrevorChat counselor, and TrevorText support. 

The Lounge is a space for teens, parents, and professionals to connect with one another. Members can form their own groups and participate in our broader online community. Meet new people and connect with friends and colleagues online. The Lounge also offers peer support.

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