Everyone plays a role in helping people of the #LGBTQ+ community feel safe and accepted regardless of their #SexualOrientation.

So what should you do when a friend or family member ‘comes out’ as queer?

A thread.

If you as a family member or friend got someone coming out to you, firstly ERASE the thought that you “understand” them. The truth is you don’t.

Give a listening ear, and ask how best you can support them. Individuals require different degree of “support” from you.

This could be as simple as you not rolling your eyes when you see them with the same gender, and it can be as strong as you being an ally for who they are.

Show outright support, go out of your way to support them, talk to them about how to help.

When they finally feel comfortable enough to talk about their orientation with you, be supportive.

Don’t make it about you, or about how people will view you because it is not about you. Ask questions about how to help and how to be supportive.

Don’t tell them it’s just a phase. This happens a lot when queer kids come out to family members. It is NOT a phase. Don’t ask them that.

Don’t ask them about sex, because sometimes, they aren’t sexually active yet and it really isn’t any other person’s business but theirs.

Leave religion out of the discussion. It would be pretty insensitive to bring it up or talk about it when you have a loved one come out to you.

It’s not that difficult to be supportive of a queer friend/family member when you are of the strong opinion that every human deserves love in whatever form they inherently seek it and that they are deserving of respect solely because they are human.

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This thread was culled from our new website where you can find information and conversations on love, sex, relationships and reproductive health - https://lovematters.ng/gender-and-sexuality/sexual-orientation/how-support-queer-person-when-they-come-out