That is not okay.
To all of the parents reading this, why? Why would you ever want your child to be completely alone? On September 3, 2014, Rolling Stone reported saying that there are between 320,000 and 400,000 homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. 40% of these children choose to leave because of rejection. The parents who choose to punish their children for their sexuality instead of embracing them honestly disgust me. Pushing your children away push them into this abyss of despair.
The saddest thing, to me, is the suffocation approach that many parents take. By never letting your child leave the home or talk to friends you are ruining every ounce of your relationship with them. When they are 18, and can finally dictate their life completely, you will be the people they choose to avoid. I understand that you want your child to be a certain way. But ultimately, you can't control every detail about them. Ultimately, if your child is safe and happy... isn't that all that matters?
Take this, for example, which would you rather have your daughter date?
Male
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Female
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17
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17
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70% attendance rate
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97% attendance rate
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Tries to sleep with her
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Loves to speak with her
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Parties on the weekend
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Works on the weekend
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Might someday move out of parents house
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Planning on going to an Ivy League University
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Kind of likes her
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ADORES her
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Thinks she is hot
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Thinks that she is beautiful in every possible way.
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If you choose the first person because they are a male, you have the point of being a parent all wrong.
Personally, I don't want to have kids at all. If I did, though, I would want them to be with whoever makes them happy. I would do everything in my power to make sure they felt safe.
"But this is a Christian family and we will NOT have a queer living under this roof!"
2. Your child is not gay OR Christian. Your child is whatever THEY identify themselves as. They are no different than they were before you knew this one small part of them.
3. Fine, send them to my house. If you are going to treat your child like dirt than it is you who does not deserve them. There is not always a safe alternative for them to turn to, understand that. However, if you are in this situation and anywhere near me... I am not kidding. My couch is very open and would love to have you on it. No one deserves to be afraid of their home.
If you are in this situation or know someone who is, please use the following resources:
- Trevor Helpline Toll-free: 866.4.U.TREVOR (866.488.7386)Hours: Seven days a wekk, 24 hours a day National suicide and crisis counseling for lesbian and gay youth. Local resource referrals available.
- GLBT National Youth Talkline 800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743) Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30pm to Midnight, Eastern time Peer support and resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, and questioning youth.
- CDC National STD and AIDS Hotline Toll-free: (800) 342-AIDS or (800) AIDS-TTY Hours: Seven days a week, 24 hours a day
- GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) National Hotline Toll-free: (888) THE-GLNH, (888) 843-4564 Hours: Monday-Friday, 4:00P.M. to MIDNIGHT, and Saturday, Noon to 5:00P.M. Eastern Standard Time
- Linea Nacional del SIDA y ETS Toll-free: (800) 344-7432 Hours: Seven days a week, 8:00A.M. to 2:00P.M. Eastern Standard Time
- National Runaway Switchboard Toll-free (800) 621-4000 Hours: Seven days a week, 24 hours a day Hotline for runaway/homeless youth and their families.
If you feel like you need more direct support feel free to contact me directly and I can help navigate through the next few phases.
