Love your child!
Is your child struggling with their sexual identity or gender? Did they just tell you that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or is your child intersex?
You may feel shock and fear, but you are not alone. It is ok to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex as a Traveller or Roma. LGBTI+ Traveller and Roma live happy and fulfilled lives being true to both their identities as LGBT+ and as Traveller and Roma.
What your child needs most of all now is your love and acceptance and the knowledge that you support them in living a full life in your community and in society.
There are many resources out there and people you can talk to, to find out how best to cope with your worries and to support and love your child in your family and community.
« As Travellers it is vital we embrace and celebrate diversity within our community including our LGBTQI+ members. We must never leave any Traveller behind on our journey towards equality, if we do then we have failed. »
Support Coming Out Guide
Guide on Supporting Someone Coming Out
Download a guide on how to support someone coming out as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, intersex or queer.
You'll find useful info, a step-by-step plan and helplines there.
Download6 Steps to Support Coming Out
- Show a positive and warm reaction so they know you accept them.
- Tell them that they are brave to acknowledge them.
- Reassure them that you do not judge them.
- Do not share this with anyone unless agreed together.
- You are not expected to know everything about being LGBTI+, just listen.
- Direct them to supports and services.
FAQ
Look at Questions & Answers that many parents have when their child struggles with their sexual or gender identity or came out as LGBTI+. BelongTo, the national organisation supporting LGBTI+ young people, answers a couple of FAQ.
Find Help & Support
You can always contact us.
And you find help & support at the following services & organisations:
Mind Your Nuck is a website developed with Young Travellers and offers advice for parents and on LGBTI+ topics.
They have a page on advice for supporting young Travellers and a specific page for LGBTI+ topics, make sure to look at both.
Go to Mind Your Nuck
BelongTo, the national LGBTQI+ Youth Service regularly talks to parents and carers who have just been told by their child that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI+).
They offer guides, advice and answer common questions.
Go to BelongTo
LGBT Ireland & the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) offer a Transgender Family Support Line on Sunday Evenings and Tuesday Mornings.
Call 01 907 3703.
Go to Trans Support Line