When my daughter came out in her teens our focus was on ensuring she knew she was loved and accepted, with no conditions. I have always known my job as her Mother was to love her unconditionally and create a haven, a space for her to be who she is, and love her for it. While we spent her childhood infusing individual and family discussions with equity and inclusion, including 2SLGBTQQIA issues as human rights, the external influences ate away at her belief that she could be out and be loved and accepted.
Flash forward to the present day in her early adulthood. Through lots of reassurance, as well as normalizing her lived experience, we have engaged with other families and communities where she is represented and celebrated, she's owning her story. As parents, we now focused on helping her maintain positive mental health, as well as develop the skills needed to deal with microaggressions, systemic barriers, and outright homophobia while learning to advocate for herself.
While society has come a long way, there is still a way to go to ensure 2SLGBTQQIA members are safe, included, and welcome in all spaces. My advice to new and seasoned parents, whether your child is gay or straight, is to love them unconditionally. You are your child's refuge in the storm, their safe place. Remember, how you teach your children to love and accept others exactly as they are, lends itself to safer and more inclusive spaces for all.