When parents refuse to accept their child coming out as gay, they almost always justify it on the basis of love. They’re convinced it’s a terrible act of self harm that will destroy their child’s lives.
They are wrong. It’s their failure to affirm their child which risks harm.
They are wrong. It’s their failure to affirm their child which risks harm.
Mental distress is much higher among LGBTQ people than the rest of the population and, as a consequence, alcohol and drug abuse is higher.
One of the reasons for this is the failure of parents to accept their LGBTQ children for who they are.
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
One of the reasons for this is the failure of parents to accept their LGBTQ children for who they are.
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Almost all LGBTQ people know other LGBTQ people suffering from mental distress linked to negative childhood experiences.
We are told “parents know what’s best for their child”. In some cases, not least many LGBTQ children, that’s not true: parents are harming their kids.
We are told “parents know what’s best for their child”. In some cases, not least many LGBTQ children, that’s not true: parents are harming their kids.
Just as parents not affirming their gay children risks major damage, the same goes for trans children. They may have the same panic and terror some parents of gay children have. But it’s that response which risks creating the greatest harm.
Fears about children making irreversible decisions they’ll regret are not borne out by the facts - detransition rates are exceptionally low, and rather than swiftly getting healthcare and surgery to affirm their gender, they’re liable to spend years on waiting lists.
So when a tweet by a committed anti trans rights activist about their trans child is approvingly circulated by other anti trans rights activists supporting their refusal to affirm their trans child - on National Coming Out Day - it’s not bullying to challenge that. It’s important
I realise that transphobia is regarded as an acceptable bigotry, and anti trans activists who have become obsessively radicalised have congregated on Twitter where they are highly organised, but this terrible harm against children will be called out whether they like it or not.
Finally, stop pretending LGBTQ people standing up for each other - not least those of us who have seen the horrible damage committed against LGBTQ people by their parents - are driven by misogyny. It’s obscene and deep down you know it.
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