7 Ways Christian Homeschooling Parents Can Support LGBT Kids: Theo’s Thoughts

The best advice I can give parents struggling to come to terms with their child’s differentness is to listen without condemning.

Asexuality And Purity Teachings Can Be A Toxic Mix: Christine

You’d think that asexuality would be a good fit for someone raised in a purity culture. However, due to the ignorance some are deliberately kept in about our own bodies, feelings, reproduction, and sexuality, asexuality and purity teachings can be a toxic mix.

Be A Winner: Susie

“To all the LGBTQ kids out there I want to tell you something: It’s okay. Things will get better. They will. Life may be confusing and hard right now, but this is your storm. Weather it. Stand strong. You know what they say — ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ — and, as cliché as that may sound, it is true.”

The “Homosexual Agenda”: Libby Anne

“I remember believing the whole ‘homosexual agenda’ thing. Back then, I was afraid of gay people. They were different and scary. They were pedophiles who should not be trusted around children. I wonder if that’s how the people writing the blogs I was reading feel when they talk about the ‘homosexual agenda’ – fear of something different, scary.”

Why I Stopped Being Anti-Gay: Heather Doney

“It wasn’t a conscious decision to come out as an ‘ally’ and I actually never officially have before now, but I will say that this friendship definitely changed my perspective and I have been one ever since, just in quiet ways. After all, this friend was my ally at a key time in my life, the very first best friend I’d ever had.”

Homeschooled and Kept Ignorant, But Still Queer: Melissa

“Sometimes I wish that I hadn’t had to spend so much of my life living someone else’s idea of who I needed to be. It has been quite the task to learn how to relax and just be rather than second guessing every single thing I think, do or say. I also wish I had known how many wonderful supportive people were out there.”

Guard Your Heart, Part Two: Kathryn E. Brightbill

“When you’re the model homeschool child, ‘gay’ is something that happens to other people. As a kid it was those people I’d see on TV marching, or who my parents’ religious right friends would rail against, but it’s certainly not the sort of thing that a good little homeschooled church kid would consider to have anything to do with themselves.”

The Queer Elder’s Son: George

“My parents still love me. They are from a different time, a different age, and aren’t quite able to cope with the entire truth. But they know who their son is, and they love him anyway. They love him enough to lose friends, to be removed from a church, to question their own deep biases. Sure, things could be better. But they could also be a lot worse.”

I Am Trans, And I Am Beautiful: Haley

“I am so glad that I have met so many vibrant LGBT homeschooled young people who got out. We are okay just the way we are. Growing up homeschooled we had every reason to hide our identity but now that we are adults, we can be ourselves finally. I am the happiest I’ve ever been. I love being me. I no longer feel like an actor in my own life.”

I Don’t Want To Be The Girl Who Ruined Her Parents’ Lives: Deborah

“It is just so, so much pain and anguish. I don’t want to be ‘the girl who ruined her parents’ lives just so she could ruin her own’ to the whole home-school community in the area. I wish I could make them see the truth of how much my life sucks less since I am honest with others and myself about who I love.”