How to Support LGBTQ+ Young Adults on Their Thoughts of Family

Pride month is this June, and one topic to familiarise yourself with is how you can

support the everyday experiences of the LGBTQ+ youth. Many relatives are

accepting, but some aren’t so much. While many individuals are lucky to have

supportive family members, others can face disapproval or rejection. There are many

ways you can show your support and be a shoulder to learn on. 

1. Take Time To Listen

If a young adult isn’t understood by their family, it can be frustrating and upsetting.

Ranting about how they feel can be an outlet to release some of their emotions.

Remember to listen carefully and offer emotional support rather than giving practical

solutions. In order for them to feel okay with opening up if they need to, create a safe

space without any judgment. For example, you might say something like “That

sounds difficult. I’m here if you want to talk more about it.” Validate their feelings

wherever you can, as this can allow them to feel understood and accepted. 

2. Let Them Know You Care

People in the LGBTQ+ community often create chosen families when their biological

family isn’t supportive. This involves building strong relationships with people they

trust, like friends, mentors and people in the community. If you’re in someone’s close

circle, offer them reassurance and let them know you care about them! Remember,

this should be consistent. For example, use their correct pronouns daily and actively

be there for them. At the same time, be supportive of whatever family means to

them! 

3. Be Supportive of Their Future Plans

As well as views about their own family, they might also have strong views about

having a family of their own in the future. For people in the LGBTQ+ community,

there are many ways to build a loving family. Whether it’s adoption, surrogacy, co-

parenting, or a fertility treatment like IVF, there are several paths to parenthood. It’s

important to support them in exploring the pathways they prefer instead of telling

them what’s best for them; be there to listen and understand.

4. Be Respectful of Family Ties

Saying something like “She’s your mother, she won’t be around forever, so you

should talk to her again” can be frustrating for people to hear. It’s important to

support their choices and boundaries without judgment. Having toxic relationships in

their life can be draining and unhealthy, and sometimes cutting ties is the best

personal choice for them. 

5. Remember That Family Experiences Differ

There are many different reasons why someone in the LGBTQ+ community could

have a different family experience, such as religious, cultural and generational

factors. These experiences can be complex, with some young adults navigating

acceptance, and others deciding to be estranged completely. Understand that

everyone’s experience is different and be there to offer your emotional support. 

6. Educate Yourself This Pride Month

Learn about the problems LGBTQ+ people face, especially when it comes to family,

healthcare, and mental health. By doing this, you can learn new ways to give your

support to people in the LGBTQ+ community. At Space Youth Project, we have a

number of resources and links, and you can use some of these to learn more about

the LGBTQ+ community and their struggles. 

Finishing Up

Family situations can be complex, but by being there, you can offer a shoulder to

lean on. Hopefully this article has pointed you in the right direction on how you can

best show your support.

Rosie Buckley, Guest Blogger

Related Articles & Support:

• Mind - Supporting someone who is LGBTQIA+

• TFP Fertility UK - Surrogacy

• OptionB - How to Support a Friend Estranged from Family

Sculpture Painting in Dorchester

Our young people at Dorchester group had an arts and crafts session with acrylic painting sculptures done in air dry clay and painting pressed clay pieces for multi media artwork. They got their inspiration's for their pieces from Phoebe's corner blog posts. All the young people got involved and they were proud of their finished articles.

As you can see they are stunning and we have some very talented sculptors and painters among our group!

Phoebe’s Corner 3 (Falkland Islands!)

27th April. We joined the Conservation group on a trip to Middle Island because the Tussac grass had caught fire sometime in the past. Tussac is what penguins and the birds live and breed in, it grows in big bush type things, Tussac can grow up to 6 foot tall. And live 200 years if it doesn’t burn!

We went on a boat to Middle Island and from 7am to 6pm we were digging holes and planting grass root bunches we harvested from the bigger plants already on the island, so we had to split large bunches into smaller ones so we could plant them farther out, We got home very late and the peat soil was EVERYWHERE, I found it in my ears and eyes the next day after showering. It was hard work but worthwhile and so enjoyable. And we saw a lovely rainbow as well.

Sometimes we can be walking in the dunes and get surprised by wildlife, we went to the lighthouse once and Mum and I got chased by a huge male sea lion.

29th April, I had an interview a few hours ago and I got a job today! I’m now an official volunteer at the Jane Cameron national archives, doing document scanning, social media management and cataloguing documents that go all the way back to the 1840s, They have a huge library room that’s really cold with huge leather-bound books from the 1800s all the way through to 1940s, they are absolutely huge, I’m really excited!! My start day is the 8th of may

Me and my mum also signed up to do cetacean counting with the conservation people, basically it just gives us an excuse to go to the lighthouse and look for whales every week, we get sheets of paper to record numbers, species and weather conditions, behaviours of the whales and dolphins etc. Each species of whale has a different blowhole pattern which I didn’t know, that was cool to see

May 4th, Mum and I went to the lighthouse on a flat day, no wave crests which was great because we could see them really clearly, we ended up seeing 5 Southern Right whales on the same day and some Sei whale further out to sea. The whales were in pairs and we think they were mating because the whale started to do headstands and “spy hopping” that is where they poke their heads out to get a 360° view of their surroundings. They do head stands and splash their tales hard to alert their presence in the ocean to other whales. Yes, I used the force to see the whales 🤣🤣

May 7th, Because of my job, I have to do an oath today at the general attorney here because I will be seeing government documents and stuff. It’s a 4 week placement but I’m excited to start tomorrow.