Episode 35

Tips for Responding to Non-Affirming or Unsupportive Family and Friends

Heather responds to a listener's question about how to handle someone who is non-affirming with a tip and an example-filled "101" episode.

She discusses the importance of word choice, gives several general tips, and three detailed examples based on the listener's situation, how to respond to a Christian family member or friend, and how to handle those who are homophobic.

Heather references three powerful resources:

Queer Theology

Nathanial Totten Green blog

letter on PFLAG

Connect with Heather:

Solutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com

For the Language of LGBTQIA+ E-book, visit: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/book  

Digital Coming Out Course for Parents - Text Ally to 55444 to get Heather's "My kid just came out and I'm freaking out!" Toolkit!


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About the Podcast

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Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen
With Host Heather Hester

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About your host

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Heather Hester

Heather Hester is the founder of Chrysalis Mama which provides support and education to parents and allies of LGBTQIA adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. She is also the creator/host of the Top 1% podcast Just Breathe: Parenting your LGBTQ Teen. As an advocate and coach, she believes the coming out process is equal parts beautiful and messy. She works with her clients to let go of fear and feelings of isolation so that they can reconnect with themselves and their children with awareness and compassion. Heather also works within organizations via specialized programming to bring education and empowerment with a human touch. She is delighted to announce that her first book is out in the world as of May 2024 - Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen. Married to the funniest guy she’s ever known and the mother of four extraordinary kids (two of whom are LGBTQ) and one sassy mini bernedoodle, Heather believes in being authentic and embracing the messiness. You can almost always find her with a cup coffee nearby whether she’s at her computer, on her yoga mat, or listening to her favorite music.