Episode 192: Now What? How to Support Your LGBTQ Youth

Summary: In this episode, we’re diving into an essential conversation about the role we all play—parents, caregivers, and community members—in supporting the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth. Even if you don’t feel this is directly relevant to your life, we encourage you to listen. Statistically, more than one in five Gen Z adults and one in ten millennial adults identify as LGBTQ+. Youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a significantly higher risk for homelessness, substance abuse, trauma, and suicide, with even greater risks for those who’ve experienced the foster care system. These youth could be our neighbors, friends, children, or our kids’ friends, making it crucial for us to put down our guard and open our hearts. To guide this discussion, we’re joined by Rochelle Rippy and Hira Ismail from one•n•ten, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 11-24. They provide critical services that promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices. Let’s explore how we can all play a part in creating a more supportive, inclusive world for the LGBTQ+ youth in our lives. Resource Links: one•n•ten: one•n•ten  Tips for Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth: Tips for Parents of LGBTQ Youth | Johns Hopkins Medicine Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say: Sprinkle, Preston: 9780830781225: Amazon.com Connect with us! Email: [email protected] Facebook: @FosteringVoicesPodcast Instagram: @FosteringVoices Web: www.fosterarizona.org