Before the Family Acceptance Project started 20 years ago, no one had studied LGBTQ youth and their families. The belief was that parents and caregivers were rejecting and were unable to learn to support their LGBTQ children, so services for LGBTQ youth were provided for them alone – like adults – or through peer support. As a result, many mainstream services, including government agencies, do not provide services and support for families with LGBTQ children.
The Family Acceptance Project has found that diverse families can learn to support their LGBTQ children when services are provided in ways that are culturally relevant for them, and describes how FAP launched the field of family acceptance and support for LGBTQ children & youth. Use this website to learn about how to provide support for LGBTQ children, youth and families – urgently needed, especially now as LGBTQ young people and families are coping with many losses and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.