* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Having just one affirming adult in the world of an LGBTQ+ teen can lower their risk for anxiety, depression, and suicidalityJohn Sovec, MA, LMFT is the author of Out: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Your LGBTQIA+ Kid Through Coming Out and Beyond.
If you’re confused by all the fuss about Pride Month, Pride products, drag queens, and so-called “grooming” that has been all over the news, imagine what it’s like to be an LBGTQ+ teenager in the United States.
You should be filled with anticipation and optimism for the adventures life has in store for you. Instead, you wake up every day in a world with more than 500 bills across the nation, each aimed at stripping away your rights. These bills allow for you to be misgendered, denied access to critical health care, and censor the history of your community.
As an openly queer man, this is a reality I wake up to every day. As an advocate, educator, activist, and therapist, I have had years of experience that have helped me grow a thick skin.
I have developed a voice, cultivated a support network, and learned coping tools to help me face these threats. LGBTQ+ kids in our society haven’t had a chance to develop these defenses.
LGBTQ+ adolescents already face a host of challenges – when you add to that the misinformation, vilification, and fear mongering focused on LGBTQ+ people and amplified by the media, and the result is a dangerous combination of stress, fear, shame, and insecurity.
Without the proper coping mechanisms and support, LGBTQ+ kids become more at risk of poor mental health, including an astronomical rise in levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and actual suicide attempts.
As adults, this should be a wake-up call that we are failing an entire generation of vulnerable children, who are yearning for signs that they are supported, loved, and safe.
LGBTQ+ teens often feel isolated and unable to find role models or mentors to help them process their pain and confusion. It is well documented that having even one affirming adult in their world can lower their risk for anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
So, what can we do to help LGBTQ+ teens?
First, be there with an open heart and mind to let LGBTQ+ teens in your sphere know that their gender or sexual orientation have no impact on their value as humans and that they deserve to lead happy fulfilling lives filled with love, safety, and security.
Next, you can get educated through vetted sources such as The Trevor Project, PFLAG, and Human Rights Campaign. These sources provide information that will help you understand the needs of LGBTQ+ kids and the best ways to support them.
Thirdly, be willing to be a strong voice of support in your community and counter the voices of those who vilify the LGBTQ+ community. That kind of support requires bravery and stepping outside of privilege and comfort.
When young people witness that kind of strength from adults in their lives, it builds their self-esteem and shows them they are worth fighting for.
Support can also be expressed by simply being present and listening to LGBTQ+ children without judgment. The simple act of hearing their perspective without trying to fix them or advise them can make all the difference.
Helping a child understand that their opinions, experiences, and feelings are valid and worth listening to can make a huge impact on the quality of their lives.
These simple steps can be the start of a campaign of support for LGBTQ+ kids, which can begin to drown out the messages of hate and vitriol.
We must shift towards a reality where LGBTQ+ children can aspire to have powerful supported lives - but also, just for a moment, have the opportunity simply to be kids.
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