To parents who find a child's disclosure about sexual or gender identity challenging, I always urge what I'd call "moderated" honesty. If you can't say "I love you," then say something like, "I'm going to need some time to digest this news." Buy time this way. And then think.

Steven Petrow

Categorized in : Children Love You Honesty

The murkiness of Donald Trump's position is really what distinguishes him from other Republican nominees and contenders who have been steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ equality.

Steven Petrow

steadfast trump republican

A big question that we have is that we do not understand why the comfort of the few should override the comfort of the many.

Steven Petrow

comfort

From my vantage point, when I'm criticized in a way that I can hear what's being said - i.e., the issues - I'm more likely to listen and respond. A lot of the personal email I receive consists of name calling; I'll write back and say: Talk to me like I'm a person and you're a person and tell me where you disagree with me. I can't tell you how that turns people upside down. More often than not they write back with an apology and a reasoned argument.

Steven Petrow

apology writing people

Okay, so here's my question: When did civility become incompatible with protest? Why do some people consider civility an antonym - anathema, even - to political action and dissent? Because, and I'm raising my voice, it's not. Have we forgotten how Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent civil disobedience to free India from British rule and inspire civil rights movements worldwide?

Steven Petrow

political inspire people

When someone transitions you should refer to them by their new name both in the present and with references back in time.

Steven Petrow

transition should names

Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as "deadnaming" and is considered highly offensive to most trans people I know.

Steven Petrow

calling names people

There's nothing you can say that won't make you seem ungrateful or rude.

Steven Petrow

ungrateful rude seems

A quick comeback is usually meant as license to be mean.

Steven Petrow

comeback license mean

I keep reading that Donald Trump is the most pro-LGBT GOP presidential nominee of all time - and I actually think that's true.

Steven Petrow

presidential reading thinking

Acceptance comes through understanding.

Steven Petrow

understanding acceptance

I know many of my female friends do not like being referred to as "ladies."

Steven Petrow

female-friends female knows

What really surprised me was that more than half of all deaths by gunshot are suicides, more than 20,000 a year, about 58 a day.

Steven Petrow

half suicide years

Every generation seems to have its members who think the world has gone to hell and a hand basket and that they need to explain a challenging world to their kids.

Steven Petrow

kids hands thinking

I'll tell you what gives me hope. After the struggle for marriage equality, the LGBTQ community has built some very powerful organizations; in particular, I'm thinking of HRC (the Human Rights Campaign), GLAAD... but there are many, many others, too. Along with those organizations come some savvy and tested leaders who have come to understand not only how to change hearts and minds but also legislators and judges votes.

Steven Petrow

powerful struggle heart

Too many people think that "good manners" are about subjugating yourself to others. Not true. Respect, and just as important, self-respect are two key elements in this equation.

Steven Petrow

keys self thinking

More people use guns to kill themselves than to kill others.

Steven Petrow

gun use people

Most pedophiles are straight not gay.

Steven Petrow

gay

I really don't understand how parents can talk about gay couples' PDA as a problem or a transgender teen's suicide and not the fact that too many of our kids are being murdered in the schools and on the streets.

Steven Petrow

couple suicide school

Being LGBT is not a choice. It's not about "a sexual proclivity." It's not a "lifestyle," as you put it. It's about our identity. Pride is a time when we come together to celebrate our community and when others do, too. Just as we do for other racial, ethnic, and religious groups that are part of the "tossed salad" nature of our society.

Steven Petrow

choices pride religious

Putting our heads in the sand is not a wise strategy.

Steven Petrow

sand strategy wise