Five Words & Phrases That Might be Offending Your LGBTQ Kid

—and why you shouldn't use them

The phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not always true, especially when you’re young. As a parent, it’s important to choose your words carefully. And sometimes, even if you think you are being careful, you may still be saying some unintentionally harmful things. Here are five words and phrases that, although often used without a second thought, can be detrimental to the development and confidence of an LGBTQ child.

Renee Zalles has a BA in English Lit, a MFA in Advertising, and a PhD in being gay.

Want to become a volunteer writer? Tell us here!

#my kid is gay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Coming Out, Pansexuality

Five Things Not to Say When Your Kid Comes Out As Bisexual

#my kid is gay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Coming Out, Pansexuality

Coming out as bisexual is hard, especially because so many of us have false ideas about what bisexuality is. Here are some ways to help you be truly accepting of your child's bisexuality.

#my kid is gay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Coming Out, Pansexuality

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Coming Out

Five Questions You Should Never Ask Your LGBTQ Child (And One That You Definitely Should!)

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Coming Out

It's ok to ask questions, just make sure they come from a good place.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Coming Out

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Dating

5 Ways to Support Your Kid Through Their First Queer Breakup

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Dating

As a parent, how can you best support your child through their first break-up as an out LGBTQ person? Break-ups are hard for anyone, but we have some ideas to help you and your child through it.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Dating

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice

Why Is My Daughter Gay?

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice

One parent is trying to pinpoint the exact reason behind their daughter being gay, but, according to Alyse Knorr, nothing is ever that simple.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice

Wait... I DON'T Have Questions!

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice

Kristin Russo, co-founder of The Parents Project, urges parents who totally accept their LGBTQIA child to dig a little deeper, ask questions, and always seek to learn and grow alongside your kid.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, College

10 Things to Look for in an LGBTQ-Friendly College

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, College

Sarah Simon gives parents 10 things to look for in determining whether or not their child's future college will be accepting of their LGBTQ identity.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, College

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Pronouns, trans*, transgender

Five Words & Phrases That Might be Offending Your LGBTQ Kid

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Pronouns, trans*, transgender

Renee Zalles talks about choosing words wisely, and boosting rather than harming your LGBTQ child's confidence.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Pronouns, trans*, transgender

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Phase

Lesbian, Bisexual, or Just a Phase?

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Phase

Parenting coach Susan Berland helps a parent navigate the confusion that can arise when a child says that they identify in a certain way, but acts in a way that may suggest otherwise.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Bisexual, Bisexuality, Phase

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Coming Out, Holidays, Pronouns, nonbinary, trans*, transgender

10 Things Not To Say When Your LGBTQ Child Comes Home From College for Winter Break

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Coming Out, Holidays, Pronouns, nonbinary, trans*, transgender

Cornelia Prior has compiled a list of things your kid probably doesn't want to hear over the holidays.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Coming Out, Holidays, Pronouns, nonbinary, trans*, transgender

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Christianity, Religion

Losing Faith?

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Christianity, Religion

Alyse Wayne offers advice to a parent who fears that their newly-out teenage son is turning his back on his faith, as he becomes increasingly resistant to attending church with the family.

#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Christianity, Religion

FAQs, ListstheparensprojectMarch 26, 2015#my kid is gay, #mykidisgay, Advice, Pronouns, trans*, transgender