This guide has been designed to give parents and guardians - whether they have LGBTQIA+ children or not - information on terminology and how they can support LGBTQIA+ young people. This guide provides a rundown on different sexual orientations, gender identities and other relevant information about some of the issues and struggles LGBTQIA+ people still face. We hope this guide gives parents the knowledge and awareness they need on issues they may not be aware of.

Often when a child comes out to their parents or guardians, even though they are welcomed with love and support, many parents and guardians have worries and anxieties as to what kind of life their child will have, many of which are unfounded. This guide aims to dispel some of these myths and to help parents and guardians understand more of what is going on in the life of an LGBTQIA+ young person. We hope this guide leads to many parents and guardians realising that their child will have a healthy and happy life, and a life that they can be a part of.

You aren’t expected to know everything but by doing research, using this guide, and talking to your child, you will be more knowledgeable and understanding of what their life experience can be.

 

“I would tell all parents to let their children be their true selves, love and support them and let them be who they are”

- Senator David Norris for the LGBTQIA+ Parents & Guardians Guide

 

Covering areas such as -

  • Language and terminology on sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex

  • What LGBTQIA+ kids with their parents knew

  • Talking to young people about LGBTQIA+ identities

  • How to be supportive for your LGBTQIA+ child

  • Building inclusive homes

  • Relationships, sexual health and consent

  • LGBTQIA+ inclusive media

  • FAQ

With contributions from -

  • Mary McAleese

  • Katherine Zappone

  • Dr Lydia Foy

  • Ruadhán Ó Críodáin

  • Domhnaill Harkin

Many strides have been made when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights in Ireland, and overall, we have become a welcoming and inclusive country. The Marriage Equality Referendum and the Gender Recognition Act in 2015 hailed a new era for LGBTQIA+ people in Ireland and led to major shifts in how Irish society viewed LGBTQIA+ people - though it wasn’t an easy time for LGBTQIA+ people themselves. The topic of being LGBTQIA+ and many people going public with their sexuality and gender identity led to many changes in people’s opinions and perspectives. Many people of all ages started to come out around the time before and after the Marriage Equality Referendum. The passing of the referendum has helped many young people come out at younger ages than ever before. This is a fantastic sign: to see young people coming out in their early to mid-teens shows that they feel safe and accepted in this country and their communities.

The fact that many teenagers can come out while in school is something many people who grew up in the Ireland of the 2000s and before wouldn’t have thought possible. While great change has happened, there are still some who struggle to accept their sexual orientiation and gender identity and organisations like ShoutOut work to improve this.