The one thing I did know is that I wanted to be the most supportive parent possible, so immediately, I reached out to PFLAG.”

Things that come naturally to me – how to annoy my child and how to love ’em to pieces! (Both may go hand and hand, hehe.) But some things aren’t as straightforward in the world of parenting…When my child came out, I may have felt like I knew enough about being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but I was wise enough to acknowledge that I did not know what it was like to be in my kid’s shoes. Coming out young or in this time period can be a completely different ballgame! Plus, I was new to being on the parent end of things, and all I could think about was how to not let my child be like all those sad coming out stories and situations that my friends have been through, and I refused to have my kid become just another statistic. The one thing I did know is that I wanted to be the most supportive parent possible, so immediately, I reached out to PFLAG.

PFLAG was literally my step one, and years later, I am still ever so thankful for them. Not only were they a resource for me, a safe place to vent parental worries and hopes, but they also provided more resources strictly for the kiddo. Getting connected to the community was a huge help for us all. If you have never heard of PFLAG before, they are a non-profit that offers resources and ways to connect with other parents and caretakers of queer children (yes, adult children count). It’s a space to practice pronouns, name changes, get advice, and work through all the typical worries and fears without making it your LGBTQ+ child’s responsibility. It is also a place to celebrate victories and milestones with others that would get it. It’s a space that is really needed today as it was back in 1973 when Jeanne Manford and her husband created it.