For Parents, Families and Friends

We are with you all the way!

If you're here on this page, it's likely that someone close to you has just come out. This can be a somewhat confusing time and you may have mixed feelings as you try to wrap your head around the news and figure out how to move forward in a positive way. This person you care about has trusted you with very personal information about him or herself and hopes that you will respect that trust. Coming out means risking rejection and even the loss of support from family and friends who may not react in an understanding way. You may feel uncomfortable and not know how to react. The best thing you can do is to listen, talk, and listen - open and honest conversation is a vital part of coming out and will help to move your relationship toward a point of mutual understanding and acceptance.

Take some time to learn more about what it is to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transsexual in today's world. There is very well-written information on Canadian websites for parents and families of people who have just come out. This material is so good that we've chosen to provide the links to it directly.

We're continually updating our web site. If you find good information for parents, families and friends you feel should be included, please get in touch by phone or by email at . You're also welcome to contact us and find out what we're doing at the Youth Centre. All communication will be kept completely confidential.

PFLAG Canada - Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays - supports, educates and provides resources to anyone with questions or concerns. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have a website with a lot of excellent information for parents, families and friends:

My Child is Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual
My Brother or Sister is Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual


Helpful Links for Parents

Books Worth Reading - PFLAG has a very good list of books:

Coming Out as GLB
Family, Youth & Allies of GLB
Parents of GLB
Gender Identity - Academic Study & Medical Research
Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Issues in the Schools

Academic/Research articles

Questions & Answers for Parents and Family Members of Gay and Lesbian Youth - developed by the Vancouver School Board Pride Advisory Committee in conjunction with GAB Youth Services, Asian Society for the Intervention of AIDS and Glen Hansman

What do you do if your child is gay? - From FamilyAcceptance.com

Making School Safe for Everyone - From the Vancouver School Board

Children's Aid Society of Toronto

Excellent and informative fact sheets:

Coming Out - some questions to consider, reasons to come out and stages care providers can go through are among the topics in this fact sheet.

When Someone Comes Out to You - Some suggestions to follow when someone feels close enough to you and trusts you enough to come out to you.

Supportive Strategies for Serving Transgender, Transsexual Youth and Young People who do not Conform to Gender Stereotypes - here's one small exerpt: "Educate yourself on the issues and current services and legislation. You are not expected to know everything. Be willing to be honest about your ignorance and make a commitment to learn the answers to the questions."

Out and Proud Symbols

SexualityandU.ca - Your link to sexual well-being

Helping a Friend Who's Gay
Coming Out to Parents