Understanding My LBGTQ Child
Tuesday
February 8, 2022
11:00 PM - 12:00 PM
LGBTQ+ youth are at a higher risk for health disparities than their non-LGBTQ+ peers due to cultural stigma and discrimination surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. Young people who experience uncertainty surrounding their gender identity, gender presentation, and/or sexual orientation often experience stigma, bullying, isolation, and even violence. They might struggle with internalized fear and unhappiness and can resort to coping with self-harm, drug use, and an increased risk of suicide. Acceptance and support from adults in their community is the first step in helping queer youth contemplate who they are as they work to discover their authentic selves and express their identities. This presentation is focused on getting information to adults that will help them support the LGBTQ+ youth in their community so that they can overcome the disparities they face and embrace their identities. We will not only be discussing what it means when a child comes out to you as a member of the LGBTQ+ community but will also aim to dispel some misconceptions about what being LGBTQ+ means while connecting you with supporting resources here in Colorado.
Instructors
Joey Kyle-Di Pietropaolo and Brad Barfield
Brad Barfield (he/him) is Program Manager with Envision:You, and as a queer person in recovery himself, is passionate about creating culturally responsive and affirming resources for the LGBTQ+ community focused on mental health and substance use. At Envision:You, he oversees programming for queer and questioning youth, LGBTQ+ folks living in rural Colorado, DEI initiatives, and all grant efforts. Brad holds a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University and a Bachelors of Engineering from Vanderbilt University.
Joey Kyle-Di Pietropaolo (she/her) is an AmeriCorps Community Connector currently serving with Envision:You. Joey's passion is creating affirming programs that support and serve the needs of community members in different areas. At Envision:You, Joey is one of the leads on the Q is for a Questioning program for helping adults better understand how to support LGBTQ+ youth and helps with social media and community outreach. Joey holds a Masters in Social Work from NYU specialized in supporting immigrant populations and a Bachelors in Arts in Japanese and psychology with a focus on community programming.
