139: Our Gay Kids: A Mother's Perspective

Where do parent's turn for education, guidance, wisdom and direction when their child comes out? How does religion and society impact the well-being of our youth? What did you wish you had known prior to your child coming out? Join us for this panel discussion as we hear four candid stories from mothers who navigate this journey with their gay and lesbian children. What worked? What didn't? How can we do better? Danette Tolman and her daughter are lesbian. She shares her own personal coming out story and experience and how being queer gave her the tools to better support her daughter in her own coming out journey. Sherine Smith has a gay son. Sherine discusses the difficulties of being Latter-day Saints in this space. She offers loving advice to church leaders and other mothers on this path. Jill Mortensen has a lesbian daughter. Nuanced from Mormonism, Jill openly shares the difficulties their family experienced from the policies and doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ. Her advice to "love first" a beacon of hope and growth. Liisa Frei shares her nearly two decade journey supporting her gay son. She shares the many resources available to parents today and reassures the community that our queer youth are vital to the health of our communities.