This article was co-authored by Deb Schneider, LCSW, PPSC. Deb Schneider is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Oakland, CA, and a Program Manager for the Weiland Health Initiative at Stanford University. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in creating safe spaces, respectful of marginalized identities, at the high school and college levels. Deb holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Women's Studies from Clark University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) with Health Concentration from the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare.
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The only difference between gay people and anybody else is attraction. This article will assist you in understanding LGBTQ people's sentiments and experiences.
Steps
- 1Recognize that the lives of LGBTQ+ people are not centered only on love. They, like everyone else, have goals and dreams. They dream about ideal professions, hobbies, favorite television shows, friends, and other pursuits. People who are attracted to the same gender, like straight people, have a diverse range of hobbies and opinions.
- 2Try to imagine yourself in their situation. Depending on the situation, this could entail visualizing how you would feel if this was your spouse, or envisioning yourself being ridiculed or stereotyped.
- How would you feel if some people thought you shouldn't be allowed to get married or adopt children?
- What might you think if people decided you might be freakish, creepy, or dangerous just because of your demographics?
- How do you think it would feel to be a teen growing up with parents who might be disgusted by your feelings or even kick you out of the house based on their personal opinions?
- What would you feel if you had to try to gauge whether people would accept or hate you if they knew who you loved?
- 3Educate yourself on the LGBTQ+ community. Learn about terms, sexuality, genders, and pronouns.
- Try enjoying books and TV shows with LGBTQ+ characters. Especially in more recent times, LGBTQ+ writers are often involved in creating these, so the stories can be very authentic.
- 4Recognize that rejection is a reality for many LGBTQ+ individuals. Some people face parental disapproval, the possibility of being evicted from their home, the loss of friends, and prejudice.
- 5Ask them if they'd be willing to talk about it with you. While it is not their responsibility to educate you, they may wish to do so if they trust you and are in the right mood. Avoid stereotyping or making assumptions about sexuality by approaching the topic with an open mind and heart.
- If they do want to talk, listen without judgment and express care and concern for their experience and opinions.
- 6Recognize that their sexual orientation has no effect on your life. They aren't causing any harm to you or anyone else. Keep in mind that you can't control or change attraction. Hating individuals because of their ethnicity, culture, or gender is harmful, but hating someone because they were born gay is also hurtful. Being gay isn't a choice, but accepting (or at least trying to accept) is.
- Even if they like people of your gender, it doesn't mean they like you. After all, you don't have a crush on every person of your preferred gender who you meet. You might not be their type.
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Community Q&A
- QuestionIs this lifestyle fair to my daughter's 6 year old, my grandson? He is confused enough with having one parent and being passed around among different family members.Luna RoseTop AnswererYes, absolutely, it's fair. Your grandson can understand that some girls fall in love with girls, and some boys fall in love with boys. If he seems confused, emphasize to him that this type of love is not meaningfully different between love between a boy and a girl. Read Talk to Your Kids About Homosexuality for more advice. It sounds like you may have some issues with your daughter. Be careful about projecting your adult hangups onto your grandson. Kids can understand more than you think.
Tips
- Let them speak their mindThanks
- Don't be negativeThanks
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