For Parents:
Why should I be involved?
Parents in today's world face increasing challenges to keep our children safe at school. We need to acknowledge the numerous studies that tell us at least 10% of children are marginalized and put at risk everyday because they are, or are perceived to be, LGBTQ. LGBTQ youth are much more likely to be bullied, engage in high-risk behaviors, experience depression, and commit suicide. Our schools are a source and cause of many of these concerns, but when we make our schools safer for LGBTQ students, when we acknowledge and accept them, these risks drop dramatically.
As a parent, you may have children, or know children, who identify as LGBTQ. You may want to contribute to making SVVSD schools safer for your children and for all students. By making your voice heard, you bring visibility to the risks for all LGBTQ kids, and can directly influence school and district policies.
What can I do to help?
- Let it be known that you are an ally
- Be familiar with current policies at your home schools and for the district.
- Educate yourself - learn current terminologies and how to recognize at-risk behavior in your children and their friends
- If your child is in High School or Middle School, contact the interventionist about the availability of Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and see what you can do to support them
- Attend school and school board meetings
- Join the St. Vrain Valley Safe Schools Coalition - school staff are key to the coalition's mission, and are more than welcome to join us for our monthly meetings!
What resources are there for me?
Boulder Chapter Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG):
PFLAG Boulder County is very active in the Boulder Counties communities, including working closely with the schools. The chapter also holds regular meetings where parents, friends, and relatives of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons can come together to discuss common issues confidentially in a supportive atmosphere
PFLAG Boulder
PFLAG National - Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal rights. PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
PFLAG National
One Colorado
One Colorado is a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to securing and protecting equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Coloradans and their families. They work toward that goal by advocating for LGBT Coloradans and their families and by lobbying the General Assembly, executive branch, and local governments on issues like safe schools, relationship recognition, and LGBT health and human services.
One Colorado
StopBullying.gov
This site provides information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators, and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. If you or someone you know is being bullied, find help here.
Stop Bullying
TYES – Trans Youth Education and Support
TYES
This is a local support group for gender variant children and their families. Contact them for information about meetings and resources.
Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents
by Irwin Krieger
If you are the parent of a transgender teen, this book will help you understand what your child is feeling and experiencing. The book is based on the author's extensive work with transgender teens and their families over several years. Go to Helping Your Transgender Teen for more details.