When the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) launched the first research on LGBTQ youth and families 20 years ago, they found that families have a compelling impact on their LGBTQ children’s health and well-being.
FAP’s research found that families are motivated by trying to help their LGBTQ children have a good life, be respected by others and keep their families together. They also found that parents and caregivers didn’t realize the impact their reactions had on their LGBTQ children’s self-worth, hopefulness, risk behaviors, health and self-care. At that time, researchers had not studied the experiences of LGBTQ youth and families, and perceptions were widespread that families were unable to learn to support their LGBTQ children.