There are common questions that people ask when their child, friend or any person they know and care about shares their queer identity. These include:
What makes a person queer?
Did I do something wrong?
Why did they have to tell me?
Why didn’t they tell me before?
What’s the difference between sexual identity and gender identity?
Can counselling help me, or my loved one?
You’re likely to have many more questions, based on your own circumstances. Here are some useful resources that you might like to check out.
Remember that the Rainbow Youth drop-in centre is for the friends and family of queer youth; we have books and pamphlets, and friendly staff you can talk to. If you’re not in Auckland, why not give us a call?
Useful links
Making sense publication (PDF) – PFLAG
Information for parents, families and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender young people.
Sexuality is not a choice publication (PDF) – PFLAG
Agender www.agender.org.nz
A national network offering social support and information for transgender people and their families.
GenderBridge www.genderbridge.org
An incorporated society providing support for transgender people, their friends and family. Their website contains a lot of useful information.
PFLAG South – Dunedin
A group of parents and families in the lower half of the South Island. The PFlag South website has many useful resources for families.