Parents, Caregivers & Families
Welcome!
Outright welcomes and supports parents, caregivers, and families of LGBTQ+ youth! Folks come to Outright in various places of understanding the needs of their LGBTQ+ youth, and in the process of understanding their own emotions about their child’s identity. If that’s you, you’re not alone. And you have enormous potential to help your child flourish by building a safe, accepting, and supportive community around them.
Connect
Join a compassionate community of parents, caregivers, and families navigating similar paths. Our groups and activities help folks share experiences, gain and offer support, and create meaningful connections.
Learn
Deepen your understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and issues. Get tools and materials to help you build knowledge, navigate your own complex emotions on this journey, and gain confidence in how you show up for the LGBTQ+ youth in your life.
Grow
At your pace and in the ways that you want, experience personal growth as an adult, developing the skills and knowledge on how to best support LGBTQ+ youth in a supportive and understanding environment.
Discover
Discover the power of queer joy and the profound pride of being a part of the larger LGBTQ+ community as supportive parents, caregivers, and families.
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Need More Info
If you have questions, we're here for you. Reach out to:
Amelia Schlossberg
Family Engagement Manager
amelia@outrightvt.org
The Fact is Family Acceptance Matters!
Parents, caregivers, and family showing support and affirmation can help LGBTQ+ youth develop a positive self-image, foster a sense of belonging, empower them to embrace their authentic selves and build resilience against LGBTQ+ antagonism.
So YOU'RE AMAZING for being here!
Check out our groups, tools, and resources for you!
Gender Creative Kids (GCK): This is Outright’s flagship group for youth under age 13. Gender creative kids may be trans, nonbinary, gender expansive, fluid, or questioning! At this joyful monthly gathering, the whole family is invited - parents, caregivers, and siblings - to build community and experience a sense of belonging.
When and where
Gender Creative Kids meets in person on the second Sunday of each month from 2-4pm.
Contact us for details on the next GCK group and to be added to an email reminder list.
Or check out the calendar and follow us on social media to stay up to date!
Trans Parent: This group offers parents and caregivers a welcoming and supportive community of peers. If the youth in your life under age 19 is transgender, nonbinary, gender expansive, and gender-questioning, you will find support here.
Adults at all levels of familiarity and understanding of trans identities are welcome! Facilitated by a mental health professional, you will learn from others’ experiences and access resources to become the best source of support you can be for the young people in your life. We define caregiver broadly, to include parents and other adults in a caregiving role for the youth, including other relatives.
Adults at all levels of familiarity and understanding of trans identities are welcome! And, this group is for parents and caregivers only. Youth can find support at the other groups.
When and where
Virtual: First Monday of each month from 6-7:30pm
In Person: Third Monday of each month from 6-7:30pm at Burlington Outright office
Contact us for details on the next Trans Parent group and to be added to an email reminder list.
Or check out the calendar and follow us on social media to stay up to date!
Finding a therapist or counselor: Vermont Diversity Health Project (VDHP): Check out this searchable database that Outright and Pride Center of Vermont work together to maintain to help patients identify safe, affirming, supportive, and effective healthcare providers. The practices identified below are committed to being a safe and affirming space for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
If you have any questions about VDHP, please contact the VDHP Team at the Pride Center.
The Trans Youth Program at the University of Vermont Medical Center provides transgender young people and their families with case management, support, resources, and referrals in a comfortable and affirming setting. Additionally, they keep an updated list of therapists and counselors, so reach out to the program for more information and support.
Check out our space: Parents, caregivers, and families of LGBTQ+ youth are welcome to visit Outright with or without their child! Check out the youth space, library, clothing closet, and other resources at Outright for LGBTQ+ youth. We are glad to offer tours of our Burlington space in person or connect online.
Reach out to learn more or set up a time to visit.
Handling With Care: Handling With Care: A Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth offers tools to promote a culture of care in the home and community. It offers clear guidance, vocabulary lists, self-reflection worksheets, and actionable advice to support LGBTQ+ youth. This toolkit was developed by and for LGTBQ+ youth and parents and caregivers of LGTBQ+ youth.
Key Terms: Using affirming words is only one piece of the work to reduce harm against queer and trans young people. Check out these key terms and definitions, which are a good place to start. But! Your youth will always be the best source of information about their own experience.
Email Amelia Schlossberg, Family Engagement Manager, for more information or queries!