Raising LGBTQ Youth

Hosted by Laurel Blume of the Ruth Ellis Center

This workshop will discuss the challenges fathers face raising LGBTQ youth in today’s society, including the absence of spaces for youth to express and share the personal process with others.  We will discuss why it is important that parents, teachers, administrators, and other members of the community provide support for LGBTQ youth and advocate for changes to practices in order to improve LGBTQ youth experiences and outcomes. We will not only talk about the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth but also their resilience — how they often persevere, despite the harassment and violence they frequently encounter, by having a supportive community. We will provide strategies for fathers to help promote this community for their children.