LGBTQIA+

If you are non-binary or transgender, what are some things you would like people to know about your experience being non-binary or transgender?

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, what are some things you would like cis and straight people to know about your community? What are some misconceptions that you’d like to clear up? What types of supports do you live with and/or need in your life?

It is commonly said that lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans people may experience feelings of guilt, isolation, depression, suicidal feelings, and low self-esteem. How do you respond to this? If you agree with it, why do you think this is the case? If not, why not?

In our current state of affairs in the world, do you feel safe in self-disclosing about your self-identified gender? Do you fear retribution? (e.g., abuse physically, sexually, violence)?

When did you come out? How was that? Joyous? Not? Did you have supports? What was your experience?

What do you think might be issues that LGBTQIA+ couples face that straight couples do not have to consider? How might these difficulties be managed and dealt with best?

Would you intervene if you saw homophobic/transphobic bullying taking place? Why or why not?

What kinds of things might a person who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender go through when coming out?

What kinds of things might a trans person go through when they begin to acknowledge their true gender identity?

Do you know any families that are struggling with accepting that their child is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender? If so, tell us about what is going on with that family? If you feel comfortable sharing, what was your journey with your family?

There is much disagreement about the Biblical basis for condemning LGBTQ people. Many religious scholars argue that the Biblical passages which are said to refer to same-gender sexuality have been misinterpreted. Have you experienced any religious exclusion or discrimination based on your sexuality? Please share.

Have you ever experienced any form of violence from your peers, family, community concerning your Gender Identity? Please share to your comfort level.

Research shows that the average age of coming out as gay is now 13 years old, whereas a decade or so ago it was in the 20’s. What do you think of the implications of this for families?

Tell us something positive you have learned about life, and/or something positive you have experienced due to being LGBTQIA+.

How do you think/feel being LGBTQIA+ has impacted your relationship with yourself, in either a positive or a negative way, or both? (For example – has it taught you to have more, or less compassion for yourself and your struggles?, etc.)