Support for raising LGBTQI kids

IN support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersexual (LGBTQI) community, Same Love Toti gathered with parents in Hillcrest to share advice on how to raise children who are part of the community. Same Love Toti is non-profit organisation that help parents to understand their LGBTQI children, and supports LGBTQI youth by sharing a human-rights-based and research-based approach to sexual and gender diversity.

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Founder of the support group Kim Lithgow said they do not only raise awareness but they support parents and families of the LGBTQI community. “Essentially, I noticed that there were LGBTQI children struggling at school. I wanted them to find support because they were afraid to tell their teachers and parents. Many of them would get bullied and sidelined. I started Same Love Toti to give them that support and let them know that they are loved and accepted, and to try to educate them on what it is to be LGBTQI. We also reach out to schools to try to help teachers to work with the kids in their school. We do work within the policies of education and schools,” she said.

Lithgow said their visit to Hillcrest was part of their daily reach-out, as kids who are part of the LGBTQI are everywhere. “We are here to raise awareness and make ourselves visible to the parents to let them know that there is support for them. It is about the family unit and preserving and strengthening that, and we want children in schools to be safe,” she said.

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During the parent talk that was hosted by Lithgow, she emphasised that parents need to understand that their children are different, and nothing is wrong with them. “Being gay or lesbian is normal – a person has been born like this. It is not a result of something; it happens normally without anybody doing anything to affect it,” she said.

She further explained to parents their role in their children’s lives to make them feel safe. “Members of the LGBTQI community are the most bullied and sidelined and are most likely to commit suicide. It is the parents’ duty to protect and stand up for their child. While we cannot always ensure safety for our children in public spaces, it is our responsibility to create a safe space for them at home first. A child can face anything as long as they have parents by their side,” she said.

Lithgow encouraged parents to be involved in their children’s lives and reach out for support as it is available.