Straight Parent, Gay Kid
Ten Ways You Can Be a Great Ally
Be open. Talk about having gay friends, family or colleagues. Ask questions, especially when you aren’t sure about the acronyms, terminology or words to use when talking about your gay friends, family, colleagues or acquaintances. Educate yourself. Learn about the issues affecting the lives of LGBTQ people though websites, books, documentaries, and educational materials. Speak…
What constitutes bullying in Schools?
This post was originally published on September 1, 2022 Children should be able to learn in a safe environment but compared to heterosexual students, LGBTQ+ students receive a disproportionate amount of bullying. Perhaps your child has already started school and witnessed bullying or maybe he is dreading going back to school as he fears being…
Why is Syphilis Surging?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that syphilis cases in the United States increased by nearly 80% to more than 207,000 between 2018 and 2022. With gonorrhea and chlamydia, in 2022, there were more than 2.5 million cases reported. The World Health Organization estimates that 8 million adults between 15 and 49 acquired syphilis…
In the Grand LGBTQ+ Scheme of Things, What Does “Non-Binary” Mean?
We’ve all heard of GAY PRIDE, particularly in June in major cities. Maybe you’ve heard of Bisexual Awareness Week in September? There are so many terms for different sexual orientations. So, what is Non-Binary Awareness Week and What Does It Mean? The traditional gender binary is either male or female. However, there are several subsets…
How Much Pride Is Enough? A Straight Mother Marches, Her Gay Son Doesn’t
June is usually thought of as LGBT+ PRIDE month. It’s an opportunity for the LGBT population to relish in their accomplishments over the years for acceptance, solidarity, community, and a chance to demonstrate to other generations the benefits of coming out. The first time I was aware of the gay population took place in NYU…
Quiet! It’s GLSEN’s Annual Day of Silence April 12,2024
What is GLSEN? GLSEN is the Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network. Its purpose is to ensure safe schools for LGBT+ students so they receive an education free of harassment and bullying regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in grades K-12. There is a widespread need for GLSEN: As 82% of LGBTQ+ students experienced…
Too Many Suicides of Transgender Youth
A “nonbinary” sixteen- year-old walks into a girls’ bathroom in Oklahoma. Not just any bathroom, but that which this transgender student at Owasso High School student identifies with. Dagny “Nex” Benedict, a “two-spirited” (LGBT) American Native, identifies as neither female or male and consequently uses the pronoun “they.” Nex’s attire is different from the classmates…
STIs are on the Rise: What You & Your Child Should Know!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, all STIs (sexually transmitted infections) have dramatically increased in 2023. Syphilis cases (all stages and congenital syphilis) have increased 80% in the past five years. More than 3,700 congenital syphilis cases were reported in 2022, reflecting an alarming 937% increase in the past decade. Most cases of syphilis…
Why Is Religion within the Same Denomination Separating Us?
Churches Continue to Split on Subject of Same-sex Marriage Over seven years ago, January 14, 2016, to be exact, the Anglican Communion suspended its American branch, the Episcopal Church, from voting and decision making in the global Anglican Church for the next three years. Why? The Episcopal Church was performing same-sex marriages within the church. …
Slouching Towards Full Inclusion?
On Monday, December 18, Pope Francis, almost eighty-seven, approved a new rule that allows priests to bless same-sex couples. But before you yell, “Hurray, Gay Pride has finally arrived at the Catholic Church!” the Pope’s announcement, during his Christmas message to the Curia, the Vatican’s Central Administration, is limiting at its best. On December 21,…