Be a champion for Queer kids

A heart-wrenching GLSEN survey reveals that a staggering 86.3% of LGBTQ students face harassment or assault in school, with trans students and students of color carrying the largest burden. Our schools, which should be sacred spaces of learning and growth, have become battlegrounds where queer kids are forced to fight for their right to exist.

This is not just a crisis – it’s a social failure. When our children are met with hatred and rejection instead of support and acceptance, it shatters their sense of self and puts their very lives at risk. The fallout is devastating: skyrocketing dropout rates, plummeting academic performance, and a mental health emergency among LGBTQ youth.

I vividly remember the anguish of being a gay child forced to hide my true self, yearning for the freedom to love and be loved without fear of judgment or rejection. My heart aches for that young boy who simply wanted to feel safe, to be protected by the very adults who were supposed to care for him. That young boy was me.

Looking back, I wish I could wrap my arms around that scared, confused kid and whisper words of reassurance in his ear. I wish I could tell him that he wasn’t alone, that his struggle had a purpose, and that he was strong enough to endure. Despite the odds stacked against him, he found a way to survive, to keep his spirit intact amidst the turmoil.

As I reflect on my journey through middle school and high school in the late 2000s and early 2010s, I’m struck by the harsh reality that progress has been painfully slow. Even now, as an adult, I find myself living in a world where being queer still paints a target on your back. The hatred, the discrimination, the constant need to be on guard – it’s a heavy burden to carry. And for young people today, the stakes are just as high.

But amidst the heartbreak, beacons of hope emerge. Dwyane Wade, the NBA legend, has become a shining example of the transformative power of parental love and acceptance. When his daughter Zaya came out as transgender, Wade and his family rallied around her. In fact, they grew closer as they worked to establish a digital platform with resources for queer kids and their families called Translatable. 

Wade’s journey is a testament to the fact that being an ally to your child is about more than just love – it’s about education, fierce advocacy, and using your resources and power to shatter harmful stereotypes and create change. By standing with Zaya and amplifying the voices of transgender youth, Wade has helped shift the needle on the conversation and inspire a new wave of acceptance.

Our queer kids are crying out for our help. They are begging us to create a world where they can live openly, love freely, and thrive without fear of persecution. And it’s our moral duty to answer their call, regardless of the role we play:

• Parents: If your child comes out to you, meet them with unwavering love and acceptance. Be their rock, their safe haven, their fiercest advocate. Follow Dwyane Wade’s example and use your voice to support your child and the broader LGBTQ community.
• Educators: It’s time to stop making excuses and start making change. Implement the recommendations of the GLSEN survey: enhance staff training, enact anti-bullying policies, introduce inclusive curriculum, and support Gay-Straight Alliances. Create classrooms where all students see themselves reflected and valued.
• Policymakers: Stop playing politics with children’s lives. Pass legislation that safeguards LGBTQ students from discrimination and ensures their access to appropriate facilities and activities. Reject policies that erase or target queer youth.
• Communities: We all have a role to play in fostering a culture of acceptance and respect for all people, regardless of identity. Provide queer youth with safe spaces, positive role models, and access to affirming resources and services.

Each child deserves to grow up feeling seen, safe, and valued. They deserve to live in a world where their identity is celebrated, not just tolerated. By working together, we can build that world. But it requires us to roll up our sleeves, face down the forces of hatred, and fight like hell for our kids.

The battle for queer youth is not just a political issue like its been made out to be – it’s a fight for the soul of our society. It’s a test of our humanity, our compassion, and our commitment to justice. Let’s rise to the challenge and create the safe, loving environments our children need to flourish. Their lives depend on it.

Like Dwyane Wade, we can all be champions for queer kids. Let’s honor their courage with action. Let’s create a world where every young person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live openly, love freely, and thrive without fear of persecution. Our children are counting on us. Let’s not fail them.