Workshop #6: What Will the Neighbors Think? 
March 17 at 7PM

A major concern of LGBTQ parents regarding their children is that they will be teased or harassed because of their parent’s sexuality. This workshop will explore the experiences children of gay and lesbian parents have with the outside world and how parents can successfully deal with the challenges of others’ prejudices.

Children come into contact with many different non-family members: neighbors, certainly, but also teachers, coaches, doctors, babysitters, religious leaders and on and on. These people play important roles in our children’s lives, and yet we often have little control over who they are and how they might react to our families.

As an inoculation prepares the body for exposure to a dangerous virus, LGBTQ parents must prepare their children for homophobia, so that they will recognize it and deal with it effectively. If our children are the targets of anti-gay bullying we need to respond calmly and decisively. Openness is our strongest weapon. There is no magic wand that will prevent our children from ever being subjected to homophobic remarks, but LGBTQ parents know better than anyone how hurtful homophobia can be. They also know better than anyone how to rise above others’ prejudices and limitations and create happy, fulfilling lives.

Elizabeth O'Connor, Ph.D. co-authored, with Dr. Suzanne M. Johnson, two books in the area of gay and lesbian parenting: For Lesbian Parents:  Your Guide to Helping Your Family Grow Up Happy, Healthy and Proud (Guilford Press) and The Gay Baby Boom: The Psychology of Gay Parenthood (New York University Press) She and her partner of 24 years are parents to their two daughters now fourteen and eleven.

To make a reservation for any workshop, contact:
ihi Family Q @ 212-243-2830 or ihi-lgbt@juno.com