5 ways to introduce children to LGBTQ acceptance
Reading Time: 3 minutes

June is LGBTQ Pride Month. With rainbow Pride flags being raised and popular brands and sports teams debuting colorful logos and jerseys, there’s a chance your child will have questions about the month-long celebration. 

If you are a parent or caregiver unsure how to begin a conversation about what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, consider Pride Month the perfect excuse to start an ongoing dialouge on what it means to be LGBTQ.

Here are five concepts to introduce children about LGBTQ acceptance:

Learning our LGBTQs

If your child is unfamiliar with LGBTQ as an acronym, it would be best to start here and define what each letter stands for. For a refresher, LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. Sometimes the Q and the end of LGBTQ can also stand for questioning. This term describes someone who is questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Depending on your child’s age, consider using books or videos that discuss gender identity and sexual orientation. Some children’s books include And Tango Makes Three and I am Jazz. Children’s television shows including Steven Universe is also another great way to start conversations about the LGBTQ community.

Addressing and Denouncing LGBTQ Discrimination

The majority of Americans, both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ people, believe that there are federal laws protecting LGBTQ communities according to a recent report. In actuality, there are not. Although we have witnessed landmark Supreme Court decisions, such as marriage equality and the expansion of non-discrimination employment protections, discrimination against LGBTQ people is still incredibly prevalent. 

Rainbow Pride flag flies in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on a sunny day.
Photo: dailydot.com

Conversations about LGBTQ identity shouldn’t avoid this political reality or the broader history of homophobic and transphobic laws and policies. Talking to children about LGBTQ discrimination will help them understand what respect and fairness should look like.

Learning to Use Correct and Inclusive Language

In the LGBTQ community, it’s important to use the right words and pronouns when referring to someone or describing their gender identity or sexual orientation. Never assume someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation. If you are unsure of how someone identifies, it’s okay to ask when appropriate.

You can use online resources to help your child to understand this and try to include it in their education at home. Resources such as ABCmouse allow you to alter lessons as needed to show more inclusive language.

Coming Out

Coming out refers to the process that people who are LGBTQ go through as they work to accept their sexual orientation or gender identity and share that identity openly with other people. Coming out isn’t always easy. The process is extremely personal and different for everyone. The most important thing to remember is that whether someone chooses to come out or not, it is entirely their decision. It is up to them to choose how, where, when and with whom to be open about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Being a LGBTQ Ally

Being an LGBTQ ally means supporting LGBTQ people both publicly and privately. The key qualities of an ally are a desire to learn and understand, to help LGBTQ people feel supported and included, and to address the barriers to fairness and justice they might face.

Whether or not your child comes out as LGBTQ, it is important to have a conversation regardless. Educating children in an open, informed manner, no matter their sexual orientation, on the variety of gender identities and orientations, leads to acceptance and prevents discrimination. Having these discussions at an early age will leave the door open for further conversations as your child gets older.