Dear Chuck, How do I stop internal homophobia?

Dear Chuck, How do I stop internal homophobia?

Thank you so much for asking such an important question! When formulating this answer with the youth we work with, these were some of the initial responses:  -Exposure therapy. Use this method to help yourself get used to being around folks that might make you feel...

Affirmation vs. Tolerance

Affirmation vs. Tolerance

Have you noticed that most of our trainings have the word “affirming” in their title? Or that our mission includes the word “affirming”? (At OUT Maine, we have an ambitious goal: to help Maine’s diverse queer youth thrive by demonstrating how much they matter. We do...

Trans Day of Visibility

Trans Day of Visibility

 “I wanted a day that we can celebrate the living, and I wanted a day that all over the world we could all be together.” Rachel Crandall-Crocker, TDOV founderThere is so much to mourn. Every year, we lose more transgender people to violence, and every year in...

8 Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health

8 Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health

1. Learn about early signs of mental illnessWhile all diagnoses have different symptoms it would be helpful for you to be aware of these common adolescent/adult warning signs: Excessive worrying or fear, Feeling excessively sad or low Confused thinking or problems...

Your child just came out. Now what?

Your child just came out. Now what?

So you’ve had “the big conversation” — your child or family member’s come out to you — and now what?  (Oh, and in case you missed it, take a moment to check out these recent blog posts, What’s a parent to do? Communication and support for your LGBTQ+ child and What to...