08/20/2026
What if some of what we call “protecting” LGBTQ+ kids is actually teaching them they’re incapable of handling life?
At some point, we need to ask a harder question:
Are we building resilience—or reinforcing fragility?
LGBTQ+ young people deserve affirmation, respect and safety.
But deserving those things doesn’t guarantee they’ll receive them.
They will experience rejection. Disrespect. Some will experience discrimination. Laws may affect their lives. And sometimes, despite everything we do to change the world around them…
it doesn’t get better right away.
So what are we preparing them to do then?
We cannot teach LGBTQ+ kids that their ability to function—or their willingness to stay alive—depends on everyone else behaving the way we believe they should.
That’s where resilience becomes su***de prevention.
Build the capacity to survive adversity before the crisis comes.
Teach them how to fu***ng swim.
Fight like hell to change the world around them.
And believe in them enough to prepare them for the parts we haven’t changed yet.
Affirmation says: They deserve a world that respects them.
Resilience says: Their survival cannot depend on getting one.
Our kids need both.
