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Parent Guide
Q: Why is my child Gay/Bi/Queer/Trans/etc.? Did I do something wrong?
A: When something unexpected happens our first thought is, “Why?” Even those families that are completely accepting of their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity sometimes wonder, “How did this happen?” It is okay to ask the question, and here is the answer: Nothing you or anyone else did made your child LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ people come from all types of families—from faith-based to atheist families, conservative to liberal families, families of every ethnicity and every economic background, with a variety of physical and behavioral abilities. They come from one-parent households, two parent households, households with stepparents, and multi-generational and multi-ethnic families. They live in every kind of community, large and small. There is no valid research from any mainstream or scientifically sound source that shows that any factors related to how you raise your child contributes to their sexual orientation or gender identity, nor is there any research that points conclusively to any one genetic or biological “cause. The important thing to keep in mind is that your loved one is the same person they were before they came out to you. What has (perhaps) changed is your perception of your loved one, the image you may have had of them, or the understanding you thought you had of their inner world. For some, this new unexpected journey or shift of perception is an easy transition, while for others it can be difficult, but know that it can be replaced with a newer and more clear understanding.
Q: How SHOULD I respond?
A: As much as you are able, lead with love. For some, this will be the natural response. For others, long held beliefs may get in the way of being able to respond positively and supportively. As best as you can, however, remember this:
No matter how easy or difficult learning about your child’s sexual orientation is for you, it probably was extremely difficult for them to come out to you, given the fears and concerns noted above.
And if your child or loved one was “outed” by someone else, it can make the situation potentially more difficult.
It is very likely that your child or loved one will be worried about losing your love. They might be worried about your reaction and response, and may even be worried about losing their family and their home. Sadly, in too many cases, all of these things have happened and continue to happen, with examples being shared in the media, in your community, or even previously in your own family. It is no wonder, then, that many people who are LGBTQ fear this unknown response prior to coming out.
Although there is no one perfect way to react, your response to your child, regardless of those feelings, will make an impact on both your child’s wellbeing and your relationship with them moving forward. Therefore, while it is sometimes challenging to control an initial response or feeling, feeling guilty or embarrassed about that feeling or response should never dissuade you from trying again and doing better; it is possible to change course and then determine how you will respond more positively as you move forward.
If you are not in an immediate place of support and understanding—and as you work towards getting there— do your best to try and remember the following: Positive, supportive responses lead to healthier LGBTQ people.
Q: What can I do to support them?
A:
• Speaking with—and listening to—your child about his or her LGBTQ identity. Give your child ample opportunity to open up and share their thoughts and feelings. Whether they want to talk about their hopes for the future, or a situation that happened in school or at work that day, the prospect for open discussion is endless. If you have a sense that your loved one might want to talk, but isn’t doing so on their own, a gentle open-ended question, such as, “How did things go at school/work/church” today, can open the door to dialogue. Don’t push, and really listen when they talk. If you make a misstep in your response—whether accidentally using incorrect pronouns (see “Preferred Gender Pronouns” in the glossary at the end of this publication) or asking a toopersonal question—apologize; no one is perfect. It is in making the attempt that you show your love and support.
• Supporting your child’s LGBTQ identity, including their gender expression, even though you may feel uncomfortable. Despite your potential discomfort, your LGBTQ loved one needs your support. This support can take a wide variety of forms, from welcoming their LGBTQ friends into your home, to taking them shopping for that just-right piece of clothing they’ve been asking for, to helping provide access to age appropriate resources, such as books and films. Imagine how supported your loved one will feel when you speak positively about an LGBTQ character you saw on television, or share a news article on a related issue. Showing an interest in their lives, inclusive of their whole selves, is a subtle-but-powerful way to show that you care.
• Connecting your child with an LGBTQ role model. If you come to support easily, it may be because your family or social circle already includes people who are openly LGBTQ. If this is the case, connecting your newly out loved one with the other LGBTQ people in your life—or other positive LGBTQ role models found through friends or behavioral health professionals—offers the opportunity to see not only that you are comfortable connecting with and being close to people who are LGBTQ (a subtle message of support), but also gives youth the chance to see people who are LGBTQ living their lives positively, with friends and family who love them. Showing a young LGBTQ person that the positive possibilities for their future are endless, offers hope and support in a significant and impactful way, and directly positively affects their health and wellbeing.
•Expressing your unconditional love for your child. Saying “I love you” is, of course, one obvious way to express your love for your child. But it is true that actions speak louder than words, and taking any—or all—of the steps above will help ensure your child that they have your love and support no matter what. And if you find yourself at a loss for words, sometimes a simple hug can be the best response.
Q: Who can I talk to?
A: You are not alone! According to the Williams Institute, an LGBTQ research think tank, there are more than eight million self-identified LGB+ people in the U.S., and approximately 1.4 million adults who identify as transgender. Other research shows that eight in ten people in the U.S. personally know someone who is LGB, and one in three people know someone who is transgender. In other words, although it may not appear so, there are LGBTQ people everywhere, and there are supportive families and allies everywhere, too. You are not alone in this process.
Self-care is crucial, which means that even as you are learning how best to support your child or loved one, you must also find support for YOU! Whether you feel isolated or nervous—or interested and excited to connect with other families—it’s important not only to find and talk to people who have gone through what you’re going through, but to have information and resources at your fingertips—like those offered at ENGAYGE—right when you need them. This is especially true if your emotions are less positive, as you’ll need a safe place to work through those feelings. Here are some places where you can connect with other individuals going through similar experiences as you:
Q: I feel like I am mourning a death. Is that normal?
A: Everyone has a vision or dream for their child’s future, born of many things including personal experiences, family history, cultural or societal expectations, and more. When presented with your child’s disclosure or coming out, it may be an adjustment to understand and realize that this future might now differ from that vision or dream. Remember, this is not an end to your dreams for your child or loved one, nor is it the end of your relationship. On the contrary, your relationship can become even stronger, because you know more about them now than you did before. In fact, it is a likely sign that your child trusts you: If they are telling you, they are making a choice to share this most personal information about themselves.
Q: Can my negative feelings or responses harm my loved one?
A: Research has shown that LGBTQ youth are:
• Nearly six times as likely to report high levels of depression
• More than eight times as likely to have attempted suicide
• More than three times as likely to use illegal drugs, and
• More than three times as likely to be at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases
These are staggering statistics—but they can be mitigated by your actions. Of course, overt negative actions such as hitting your child, name calling, or kicking them out of the house are the most obvious to avoid (although it is worth noting that there are many now-supportive parents and caretakers whose journeys started with one of these reactions, and they came not only to a place of understanding and support, but were able to make amends to their LGBTQ loved ones and move forward from there). But even the most well-meaning person can act in ways that are subtly unsupportive or negative, whether it’s blocking access to LGBTQ friends, events or resources, making your child keep their LGBTQ identity a secret and not letting them talk about it, or pressuring your child to conform to more stereotypical gender expression or behavior. There are also subtle communications that can hurt a loved one who is LGBTQ, whether it’s making or sharing a joke that seems innocuous to you, disparaging openly LGBTQ people you see in the media, or even telling an LGBTQ loved one that they are being too sensitive when you do one of the above. It may take time to break some old habits, but making your best effort—acknowledging and apologizing for unintentional missteps—is a real demonstration of love and thoughtfulness. Try to express your fear, worry, anger, or any other feelings of distress away from your child. Remember, it is never too late to respond with love and support. Some parents come to a place of support and understanding early, and for others it takes time. The important thing is that you are working towards understanding.
Q: My child is very young, but likes playing with toys and dressing in clothes I usually think of as being for a different gender. What does this mean?
A: It may mean they are LGBTQ… or it may not. It may mean that your child is simply creatively exploring different ways of playing and expressing who they are…or it may not. Do your best to allow your child this time of exploration, and leave the door open for positive, honest conversation; by doing so, it is more likely they will continue to communicate with you as they begin to understand themselves more clearly, regardless of what they come to understand about themselves.
Q: How can I keep my child safe?
A: They say “Home is where the heart is,” and never is that more true—or necessary—than for a person who has just come out. If possible, home should be a safe haven for your child or loved one, a place for them to bring their whole authentic selves, to bring concerns and worries, and where YOU are their safe place to land. This may mean listening to your child or loved one talk about someone to whom they are attracted or on whom they have a crush. Perhaps it means sharing affirming television, movies, and literature between you, or, for gender-creative kids, allowing them to explore the full range of that creativity, whether through clothes, toys, or even a change of name if that’s where they are leading you. Of course, it is possible you will still have conflicting feelings. These feelings should be shared, as much as possible, away from your child.
Your worries for your loved one’s safety outside of the home are a very real, very valid source of concern. Those worries might make you feel that the best way to protect your loved one is to have them hide their sexual orientation, or avoid dressing in the way that makes them feel happiest and most comfortable. Every situation is different, and your intent to protect your child could be received by them as a subtle message that you don’t support them and who they are. If you live in a community where coming out might not be safe for their physical well being, have that discussion with your loved one and share those concerns. Work together to make a decision that lets them know you support them and love them, and want what is best for them and for their safety. If together you assess that it is safe for them to be out when outside of the home, then do your best to advocate on their behalf, whether that means asking others to show respect if you hear them speaking negatively or being at your loved one’s side if they should need you.
Concerns abound for many parents, caregivers, and loved ones, whether it’s safety in school, workplace safety and discrimination, or supporting a loved one in a faith community, or keeping LGBTQ loved ones safe in social situations. One of the most important things you can do to keep your loved one safe is to acknowledge their identity, and understand that, while a person may choose to change their own sexual behavior or gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression cannot be changed by outside influences, such as “reparative” or “conversion” therapy,” which is, in fact, a dangerous and damaging practice. Every major mainstream medical and behavioral health association agrees that attempting to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity does not work and is, in fact, incredibly harmful, increasing the risk for depression, self-harm, substance abuse, and even death by suicide.
Q: Where can I find some additional information to learn about this journey?
A:
ENGLISH
ESPANOL
VIDEOS
PODCAST EPISODES
Episode 1: Strawberry Margaritas & Coloring Books
A Mother From Arkansas
Pat is a mother from rural Arkansas who shared her story about her son coming out when he was in his 20’s. Read about her experience HERE.
A Mother From Pennsylvania
A mother with other LGBTQ family members tells of her gay son. Read about her experience HERE.
A Father and Pastor From Ohio
As a pastor and father, faith and family intertwined. Read about his experience HERE.
Father Can’t Protect But Chooses to Love
I couldn't protect her from most hate....but decided I would try to show her that I loved her no matter what. Read about his experience HERE.
Daughter Overcomes Suffering
Mother helps her daughter overcome suffering with love. Read about her experience HERE.
A Father from Oregon with a Transgender Daughter
A father wins through to love after he learns his married son is transgender -- and now must be his daughter. Read about his experience HERE.
Authenticity and Deeper Faith through Journey With Gay Son
His journey has been a catalyst for my own journey to greater authenticity and I am deeply thankful for that. I now consider it one of the greatest blessings of my life to have a gay son. My own faith has blossomed and been renewed, and we are now part of a fully welcoming church where we have made wonderful new friends. Read about his experience HERE.
Father of Young Trans Teen
She was with us all along but none of us knew it. Now we just go through every day with our eyes open just a little wider. Read about his experience HERE.
Couple Focuses on Support for Two Sons
This couple had different reactions in different situations but are focused on supporting their sons. Read about their experience HERE.
I promised I would do whatever I could to help him.
A mother focuses on supporting her son while trying to process the changes they all face. Read about her experience HERE.
Parents learn gradually as their trans child uncovers his own identity.
It took a lot of strength and courage to come out to you and they will need your love and support to stay strong. Read about their experience HERE.
READ MORE FAMILY STORIES HERE.
1. PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
PFLAG Connects: Communities provide a safe, virtual, moderated space where people with shared experiences can connect each month. PFLAG National’s current communities gather people of Latino, Black/African American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds to gain support, ask questions, and learn from others who have been through similar experiences. These meetings are catered to those who are parents/family members of LGBTQ+ individuals, though we also welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community who are Latino, Black, or AAPI.
They also host a Military Community meeting, in partnership with their friends at the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA).
Each meeting is facilitated by 3 members of the community who are either LGBTQ+ themselves or have a loved one who is LGBTQ+. The meetings are free to the public and do not require PFLAG National or chapter affiliation.
Their meetings occur monthly on:
Any questions about the program can be directed to Laura Galeano (she/ella), PFLAG Connects Manager, at lgaleano@pflag.org.
Straight for Equality provides interactive and engaging learning sessions, resources, programs, and more for allies committed to creating diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplaces and communities.
Strong Family Alliance is a non-profit organization focused on supporting parents of children in the LGBTQ+ community. Strong Family Alliance gives parents accurate information, insights, ways to keep their child safe and healthy, and encouragement to lead with love and solve problems over time.
The Strong Family Alliance LGBQ Parent Guide (View Full PDF):
Transgender Parents Guide (VIEW FULL PDF)
Most parents struggle when their child discloses a different gender identity. Even parents who have close LGBTQ acquaintances or family members may find it difficult when it’s their own child. This is a powerful change in the family picture.
But there is also Good News: Staying connected, building communication, and working through change as a family can result in deeper relationships and better health for your child. While the challenges can be hard, many parents find they develop deeper, more honest, and more genuine relationships with their children as they work together through the changes they face.
Here are a few helpful pages we recommend:
Videos and resources aimed at offering hope to young LGBTQ people that "it gets better." Can be helpful for parents for insights and understanding their child's experience.
Information, resources, and support groups for parents and their transgender children.
Extensive research on LGBTQ youth and their families, best practices and the importance of family connection.
Support and resources for LGBT Christians and their families. (Formerly the Gay Christian Network)
A Jewish national organization that works for full LGBTQ equality and inclusion in Jewish life.
The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) works to support, empower and connect LGBTQ Muslims, increase the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within Muslim communities, and promote a progressive understanding of Islam that is centered on inclusion, justice, and equality.
HAF seeks to serve Hindu Americans across all sampradayas (Hindu religious traditions) regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship, caste, gender, sexual orientation, age, and/or disability. HAF focuses on the areas of education, policy, and community building and works on a range of issues from an accurate understanding of Hinduism, civil and human rights, and addressing contemporary problems by applying Hindu philosophy.
| Title | About | Find |
| The Gender Creative Child by Diane Ehrensaft | This book gives gender creative children and their parents information and support and provides professionals a solid approach to supporting gender creative clients. Psychological, medical and anecdotal stories are woven together into an affirmative and loving celebration of gender creative children and their families to provide a thorough view of all the elements of raising or otherwise supporting a gender creative child. This is a wonderful resource for parents of gender creative kids and others seeking information. | BUY HERE |
| Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Health Gender-Nonconforming Children by Diane Ehrensaft | Dr. Ehrensaft offers parents, clinicians, and educators guidance on both the philosophical dilemmas and the practical, daily concerns of working with children who don’t fit a “typical” gender mold. She debunks outmoded approaches to gender diversity that may actually do children harm. She offers a new framework for helping each child become his or her own unique, most gender-authentic person. | BUY HERE |
| Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt | This heartwarming story of an ordinary family fighting to make a safer world for their transgender daughter is both engaging and informative. The Maines family’s journey includes conflict with the schools, a landmark court case, the kids’ growing up, Nicole’s transition, and Wayne’s finally coming to terms with having a transgender daughter. It’s an inspiring story and it’s likely to make you think about gender in ways you haven’t before. | BUY HERE |
| Parenting Transgender Children: A Guide for Keeping Your Family Strong by Janet Gattis Duke | Very practical yet important tips and a guide to challenges that a parent can expect. It is particularly good for families that struggle with gender and religion. If your child is exploring their gender identity you probably have questions. Parenting is often tricky but throwing in issues like transgender or gender-nonconforming identity brings us into unknown territory. Please know you do not have to do this alone. There is good, practical, encouraging information available and a lot of it is in this book. Ignore the politicians and focus on keeping your child safe and your family strong. There’s a lot to learn, certainly, but parents tell us over and over their family became closer, more honest and more connected by working through their challenges together. | BUY HERE |
| The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender & Nonbinary Children by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper | The Transgender Child has been lauded as the most trusted source of information for families wanting to understand and affirm their transgender, gender-expansive, or nonbinary child. A ground-breaking classic with coverage of gender development, affirming parenting practices, mental health and wellness, medical decision making, legal advocacy, and how best to ensure school success, from preschool through the high school years. Drawing upon their extensive joint expertise as pioneers in gender affirming care, and enriched with the wisdom of parents who’ve already walked this path, as well as the voices of professional experts, Brill and Pepper provide a compassionate and educational guide for anyone who cares about a child who falls outside expected gender norms. | BUY HERE |
| Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents by Irwin Krieger | Going through puberty and adolescence presents unwelcome changes for transgender youth, and this book provides advice to parents of transgender teens to help them understand what their child is experiencing and feeling during this challenging time. Addressing common fears and concerns that parents of transgender teens share, the book guides them through steps they can take with their child, including advice on hormones and surgery and how to transition socially. It addresses the recent increase in teens presenting with non-binary identities, and reflects major legal, social and medical developments regarding transgender issues. | BUY HERE |
| The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens by Stephanie Brill and Lisa Kenney | Separated into easily digestible sections, complete with callouts, questions, and bullets that break down the larger issues, this is a very well-organized book that can be read cover to cover, but is also useful for quick reference needs. It directly addresses the fears and concerns of parents to help enable them to take an active role in being a supportive influence. Overall, this book is a wonderful resource for parents of trans, non-binary, and gender questioning youth. | BUY HERE |
| Raising the Transgender Child: A Complete Guide for Parents, Families & Caregivers by Dr. Michele Angello & Ali Bowman | Addressing the biological, psychological, medical, social, legal, and spiritual aspects of gender identity and expression, this book answers the many questions families have when a child explores gender expression. It dedicates considerable space to resources including websites, faith groups, legal and medical resources, recommended transgender fiction and much more. This is a must-read for every person who has a trans child or teen in their life. | BUY HERE |
| Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism: Voices from Across the Spectrum by Eva Mendes and Meredith Maroney | Bringing together a collection of narratives from those who are on the autism spectrum whilst also identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and/or asexual (LGBTQIA), this book explores the intersection of the two spectrums as well as the diverse experiences that come with it. By providing knowledge and advice based on in-depth research and personal accounts, the narratives will be immensely valuable to teenagers, adults, partners and families. | BUY HERE |
| Raising Ryland: Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached by Hillary Whittington | The incredible story of one family’s unconditional love for their transgender son. From the earliest stages of deciphering Ryland through clothing choices to examining the difficult conversations that have marked every stage of Ryland’s transition, Hillary Whittington shares her experiences as a mother through it all, demonstrating both the resistance and support that their family has encountered as they try to erase the stigma surrounding the word transgender. What emerges is a powerful story of unconditional love. (Nonfiction) | BUY HERE |
| Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son by Lori Duron | Whereas her older son, Chase, is a Lego-loving, sports-playing boy’s boy, Lori’s younger son, C.J., would much rather twirl around in a pink sparkly tutu, with a Disney Princess in each hand while singing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi.” Lori has a boy who likes girl stuff—really likes girl stuff. He floats on the gender-variation spectrum from super-macho-masculine on the left all the way to super-girly-feminine on the right. He’s not all pink and not all blue. He’s a muddled mess or a rainbow creation. Lori and her family choose to see the rainbow. (Nonfiction) | BUY HERE |
| This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel | Laurie Frankel’s This Is How It Always Is is a novel about revelations, transformations, fairy tales, and family. And it’s about the ways this is how it always is: Change is always hard and miraculous and hard again, parenting is always a leap into the unknown with crossed fingers and full hearts, children grow but not always according to plan. And families with secrets don’t get to keep them forever. | BUY HERE |
| Two Spirits, One Heart: A Mother, Her Transgender Son, and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance by Marsha Aizumi | This book contains 32 essays written by mothers of transgender or gender variant children. Each of the stories convey the underlying theme of the book: love your child unconditionally, whether they conform to society’s (and your) expectations or not. The stories give the reader great insight into ways parents manage this often unforeseen life event through their open, frank, and honest retelling of their journeys. This book is an excellent resource for parents of trans people who have just come out, or for trans people who are worried about coming out to their parents. | BUY HERE |
Focused on supporting parents and loved ones with good, practical, and encouraging information, you’ll also find answers to many tough questions. This guide can help a family become closer, more honest, and more connected by working through challenges together. It’s helpful for friends and family that ask you to educate them or readers who want to understand transgender but don’t.
Excellent book for developing good communication habits with your child, an essential skill as an LBGTQ parent.
A guide to the hidden dangers of “parentspeak”—those seemingly innocent phrases parents use when speaking to their young children.
This guide provides parents a framework for helping their LGBTQ child navigate through a world that isn’t always welcoming. It can be useful to siblings and extended family as well to provide information, insights, and suggestions how to support the child and find support themselves.
Focused on parents who are struggling to deal with or accept their questioning or coming out teenaged child. Tries to address questions or issues that arise for a parent after a child comes out.
Focusing on fifty average families―not people seen in clinics or therapy―the authors found a consistent pattern of change: first negative, then positive. Sometimes the news led parents and siblings to form stronger bonds with the child, with each other, and with other relatives and friends.
Drawing from over 150 interviews with teens, psychologist Ritch Savin-Williams seeks to separate fact from fiction in this survey of coming-out experiences. He illustrates the range of family reactions and the factors that determine how parents come to terms with the disclosure over time.
This guide provides parents a framework for helping their LGBTQ child navigate through a world that isn’t always welcoming. It can be useful to siblings and extended family as well to provide information, insights, and suggestions how to support the child and find support themselves.
A resource for parents, family members and LGB youth, providing research, practical suggestions, and coping techniques. One the whole family can read and share.
Written in Q&A format, the authors provide guidance on both emotional and practical topics. “A book kids wish their parents would read.”
Insightful, no-nonsense answers to hundreds of the most commonly asked questions about homosexuality. Offering frank insight on everything you’ve always wanted — and needed — to know about same-gender relationships, coming out, family roles, politics, and much more.
Betty DeGeneres, Ellen DeGeneres’ mother, relates her journey on the complicated path to acceptance, the deepening of her friendship with her daughter, the media’s scrutiny of their family life, and the painful and often inspiring stories she’s heard along the way.
Somewhat dated but notable for the many parent stories included.
Straight Parents, Gay Children is a survival guide for all parents who wish to help their gay children cope with the inevitable cruelty from which they cannot hide.
Focused on supporting parents and loved ones with good, practical, and encouraging information, you’ll also find answers to many tough questions. This guide can help a family become closer, more honest, and more connected by working through challenges together. It’s helpful for friends and family that ask you to educate them or readers who want to understand transgender but don’t.
The story of a journey from childhood through coming out as transgender and eventually emerging as an advocate for the transgender community. This is not only Jeremy’s story, but also that of his family – of the siblings who struggled to understand the brother they once saw as a sister, and of the parents who ultimately joined him in the battle against discrimination.
A guidebook to the unique challenges that thousands of families face every day raising a teenager who may be transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid or otherwise gender-expansive. Written by the founder of the non-profit Gender Spectrum.
Written for parents by experienced researchers and counselors on gender issues, this book is an informative and essential first read for families of transgender children.
A fun and engaging workbook to help teens address the broad range of struggles they may encounter related to gender identity, such as anxiety, isolation, fear, and even depression.
Forty authors share their personal journeys from the initial shock or resistance when first learning their loved ones (or they, themselves) were struggling with gender identity, through the various feelings, to final acceptance.
Baldock uncovers the historical, cultural, medical, and political filters of discrimination through which the LGBT community is seen. With the foundation firmly established, she examines the most controversial filter of all: what the Bible says. This book also has a study guide available for group use.
Written in order to serve and inform the ongoing debate in many denominations over the questions of homosexuality, Brownson’s in-depth study will prove a useful resource for Christians who want to form a considered opinion on this important issue.
Torn provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members–or who struggle with their own sexuality.
With empathy, journalistic rigor, and powerful storytelling, Lee unpacks the diverse and complex strands of this movement—and what it means for the rest of us. Given the clout that evangelicals still hold in national politics, Lee argues, this movement is important not only for the future of evangelicalism but also for the future of our country.
Armed with only six passages in the Bible—often known as the “clobber passages”—the traditional Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of LGBTQ members. UnClobber reexamines what the Bible says (and does not say) about homosexuality and breathes fresh life into outdated and inaccurate assumptions and interpretations.
The author combines a detailed mastery of a wide range of material from the ancient world and the Christian tradition, a clear and articulate writing style, a deep commitment to his Christian faith, and an incisive judgment that can cut through complex arguments and mountains of data, and identify the core issues and their implications for human life.
Space at the Table is a profoundly moving memoir, written with compassion, grit, and humor as a conversation between an Evangelical pastor and his gay son as they journey through the roadblocks that threaten to devastate families and the broader religious and LBGTQ communities.
Part memoir and part investigative analysis, this book explores the explosive and confusing intersection of faith, politics, and sexuality in Christian America by award-winning reporter Jeff Chu.
This groundbreaking collection addresses transgender and gender identity issues in Jewish law and community from diverse scholarly, religious and personal perspectives.
A leading activist on behalf of LGBT people in faith communities provides an excellent resource for those struggling to reconcile their sexual feelings — or those of a loved one — with being a person of devout religious faith.
A book, not only for Jews who are gays and lesbians, but for family members, partners, and friends of those who struggle to unite both worlds and to discover how to live lives based on the wisdom of two cultures.
Parents from across the United States share intimate accounts of struggling with the pain and challenges of their child coming out. From diverse geography, cultures and backgrounds, they reveal common threads in the parent experience.
As a Strong Family Alliance´s board member Dr. Shailagh Clarke states that parents are a powerful force and an important factor on a children's life.
▶️ Watch Now (7 Minutes 39 Seconds)
Commentary from an evangelical church that decided to reach out and embrace the LGBTQ community
▶️ Watch Now (4 Minutes 4 Seconds)
Matthew Vines speaks on the theological debate regarding the Bible and the role of gay Christians in the church. He describes his deep love of and research into the Bible, what it says about homosexuality, and his journey of belief.
▶️ Watch Now (1 Hour 7 Minutes 18 Seconds)
A mom talks about her struggle as a Christian to accept her transgender daughter.
If you are a parent whose child just came out, you may be struggling or wondering how to respond. We are parents too and want to help you through this crossroads and find a hopeful path for your family.
▶️ Watch Now (1 Minute 46 Seconds)
Janet Duke, the founder of the Strong Family Alliance, shares some thoughts and tips from her experience as a mother of an LGBTQ child.
▶️ Watch Now (10 Minutes 10 Seconds)
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