"Family Support Would Have Been Like Amazing": LGBTQ Youth Experiences With Parental and Family Support. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roe, Stuart
• Is Part Of: Family journal. Volume 25:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: LGBTQ -- gay -- family -- parents -- support -- adolescent -- children; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Marital psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Family counseling -- Periodicals; Marriage counseling -- Periodicals; 616.8915605
• DOI: 10.1177/1066480716679651
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-4807

Abstract

This qualitative study examines gay and bisexual adolescent experiences with parental and family support using a phenomenological inquiry approach. Four themes related to peer support emerged from the data including (1) coming out was necessary; (2) initial reactions of parents are most often not positive; (3) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth view religion as a barrier to support from parents; and (4) LGBTQ youth want explicit support from parents and family members. Implications for counselors working with parents, families, and individuals are discussed.