For Families, Friends & Loved Ones

Help Them Feel Safe and Welcomed

A helpful method to support LGBT+ peers is to open up and talk to them. You can help by defending people in the group from discrimination by standing up or promoting respect and acceptance for them. People can attend LGBT+ parades and social gatherings or speak up whenever unfair treatment, such as homophobia towards the group, is displayed. In order to approach people in the group, it is essential to keep an open mind and not make unfair assumptions about a person’s gender or identity. It is also important to be supportive of peers who choose to come out in order for them to feel that it is okay for them to be a certain way and to know that there are people who support them.

Take Part in Creating Safe Spaces

Helping create safe spaces for your LGBT+ peers is beneficial as it helps provide a place where individuals can feel more comfortable about themselves. People as part of the group should be able to have a space where everyone supports each other no matter their differences. Take part in organizations or websites to help provide peers part of the LGBT+ community a place where they can feel more comfortable talking about their emotions and experiences without discrimination or criticism. A safe space is somewhere everyone values each other's unique qualities without fear of any judgment. 

Listen And Stay Informed 

Listening and staying informed regarding news and upcoming events involving the LGBT+ community is important as it displays one’s support towards the group. Knowing recent events involving the group can help one better educate themselves and work towards understanding and teaching others about the community. Doing so can influence more people to support and help the LGBT+ members around you. Staying notified about LGBT+ events and news can also help display one’s support towards the group.

Conclusion

It is really important to help and support people who are part of the LGBT+ community, especially those who are just finding out about their gender identity or sexual orientation. This is because those who get shut down whenever they try to talk to someone about the topic are more likely to stop opening up to others. This can affect their mental health as they believe that there is no one they can talk to about the subject. Knowing this, it is necessary for you to help your LGBT+ peers by letting them know you're supporting them and it is okay to talk and open up about themselves.