Dealing with child's sexual orientation
BY DR. LAURA BERMAN
September 19, 2011 6:12PM
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/berman/7673511-417/dealing-with-childs-sexual-orientation.htmlFor many lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender teens, homelessness is a scary reality. The statistics are quite shocking. Some 20 percent of homeless youth are LGBT, and LGBT youth are roughly 7.4 times more likely to experience acts of sexual violence than heterosexual homeless youth. High rates of LGBT homelessness occur because some families simply turn their backs on their children when they make their sexuality and/or gender identity known, and others give them a choice: Be straight, or get out. Of course, that is no real choice at all, and most LGBT teens are then forced to brave the dangerous streets on their own.
If I could impart any wisdom to parents who are struggling to accept their teen's sexuality or gender identity, it is simply this: Nothing that you can do will ever change your child's identity. You can't make them to be straight any more than you made them be gay, and no amount of tough love or ultimatums are going to "fix" your child. He isn't even broken in the first place.
