Pride Month: Raising Kids as an Ally

Despite all the advancements that we have made as a society, the LGBTQ+ community remains to be quite oppressed and looked down upon, even today. However, it is some relief that the majority of the present generation is being an ally to the community, standing by their sides and simultaneously fighting for their rights.

This Pride Month, let us all swear to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, their rights and fights, and stand as strong allies. And as we do so, let us also pledge to our kids as LGBTQ+ allies, don’t worry this article will be quite of your help.

Check Out: LGBTQ Parents- Redefining parent-child Relationship

Why is it important for kids to be raised as an ally?

It is often a case that we end up blaming our older generation for wrongly identifying the LGBTQ+ community as a sham. Even today, we see that many aged people still do not want to identify themselves as someone supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and yes, we do blame their upbringing for that. This is enough reason for us to be ensuring that our kids are raised as allies to the LGBTQ+ community.

Also, it is generally seen that many kids that are a part of the LGBTQ+ community go through a lot of bullying even when they are just in school or college. This bullying is a result of the lack of awareness, and education, in the children. Thus, we must make them aware of the LGBTQ+ community, stressing that they too are perfectly functional human beings who are still fighting for their rights. Only then will we be able to crown ourselves of parenting done right.

How to make kids an ally of the LGBTQ+ community?

Here are some ways that can help you to raise your kid as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

Have a Talk: Remember, the first step to raising your kid as an ally is educating them about the LGBTQ+ community. Do not dodge when they ask you questions about them, let them have their answers. Let the kids know of their struggles for basic human rights, of the discrimination yet meted out to them.

Watch Movies Together: Visual representation is the best way to make children understand concepts. Over time, several movies have been made depicting the hard life led by the people of the LGBTQ+ community. One such film that you can watch with your child by your side is Funny Boy, based on the novel by Shyam Selvadurai.

Read Books on Allyship: There are several pieces of literature on the lives of the people of the LGBTQ+ community, also speaking at length about both good and bad allyship. There are also many picture books on the same to draw the younger children’s attention.

Model Ally Behavior: Time and again, it has been stressed that children tend to take up after their parents’ behaviour. So, as you act as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, your kids are likely to follow suit. Speak up for their rights, call out people who seem to speak trash about the community, and the kids will model your behaviour.

Becoming Good Listeners: Becoming a good listener is an essential trait for an individual. It is all the more important for an ally to listen and understand what their friend is going through. So, work on that. Teach them about listening to other people’s problems without being judgemental.

So, can you think of any other ways that can help make children a good ally?

Also Read: Accepting your child's sexuality