Embracing the Journey – Greg and Lynn McDonald are parents, best friends, and co-founders of Embracing the Journey as an outgrowth of their family’s personal journey associated with having a gay child. They are bridge builders passionate about helping people lean into their journey where true healing can occur. As followers of Jesus, Greg and Lynn have first-hand experience managing the complicated feelings associated with learning their son was gay. In the eighteen years since that revelation, they have immersed themselves in the LGBTQ community. Armed with years of practical experience, Greg and Lynn have personally coached and counseled many hundreds of Christian parents from around the country who have lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children. They participate in a variety of national conferences including Q Christian Fellowship, The Reformation Project and teach and facilitated many small groups. What makes the McDonald’s such a powerful resource is their ability to share their journey in an unvarnished, honest, reassuring, and relatable way, along with the learnings gleaned from walking with hundreds of Christian Parents.
The Family Acceptance Project® is a research, intervention, education and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) children and youth, including suicide, homelessness and HIV – in the context of their families, cultures and faith communities. We use a research-based, culturally grounded approach to help ethnically, socially and religiously diverse families to support their LGBT children.
https://www.freedhearts.org/parents – Do you have a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender child? Are you wondering about issues of faith? As parents, we love our children to the ends of the earth, but our heads can be spinning with lots of questions, and we may be confused when our trusted church leaders tell us to distance ourselves from our children. This shreds a parent’s heart. The results? Homelessness, self-destructive behavior, even suicide. There is a better way. A way to fully love, accept and affirm your child, and strengthen your faith in the process! We’ve been there. We understand. Let us help you on this journey. You’re not alone.
https://www.freemomhugs.org/ – Free Mom Hugs is a group of affirming parents and allies who love their LGBTQ+ kids unconditionally and take hugs of love and acceptance to others. Beyond the Hug, we provide emergency assistance to LGBTQ+ community members in need, help with legal name changes, support at same-sex weddings, notes of encouragement, and more. We are dedicated to educating families, church and civic leaders, and not only affirming the value of the LGBTQ+ community, but celebrating it.
Serendipitydodah for moms – A private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ kids. The group was started in June 2014 and as of November 2018 there are more than 3,800 members. Each day moms of LGBTQ kids gather virtually to share a journey that is unique and often very difficult. The group is a place where they share a lot of information, ask questions, support one another, learn a lot and brag on their kids. The official motto is “Better Together” and the members nickname themselves “Mama Bears”. This site also offers many resources for parents of LGBTQIA children.
Ultimate Guide to Resources for LGBTQ+ Students – I came out when I was 59 years old, after my wife Nancy died. I always knew it was hard for people to come out, but I had no idea how difficult it really was. I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through that process during the teenage years. It takes such courage and strength! And I am so grateful for parents who support, accept, and affirm their children during this time of their life. I am adding this resource at the recommendation of a parent. It seems to offer a lot of resources that would be helpful to students. I hope you find it so.