Chrysalis Mama Logo

EMBRACE • EDUCATE • EMPOWER • LOVE

Solidarity • Advocacy • Empowerment

For all LGBTQIA2+ Individuals + Families, Organizations, and Schools through

Coaching, Consulting, and Education

AS SEEN IN

Podcast

EPISODE 78:WHEN YOUR LGBTQIA+ LOVED ONE FACES NON-AFFIRMING FOLKS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

DISCOVER CHRYSALIS MAMA

Transforming the Conversation

Hi, my name is Heather Hester. Welcome to Chrysalis Mama.

You have probably landed on this page because your child or a loved one (grandchild? niece? friend?) has recently come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or another sexual orientation or gender identity and you are looking for resources and tools. I know the joys and challenges of parenting an LGBTQ child.

Or, maybe you’re here because your company or organization is looking for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) speakers or consulting. I can help you with that!

Don’t panic. Take a deep breath. You are in the right place. I’ve been where you are. I’ve felt the shock, the joy, the terror, the growth, the unconditional love, the fierce mama bear response. It’s A LOT! And, it can be challenging to find support, guidance, resources, and education. That’s why I’m here.

Chrysalis Mama is the product of our family’s journey with depression, anxiety, and embracing our son, who, among many wonderful traits, is gay. It is my desire to pass on valuable information and offer support to those who are on a similar journey of loving and raising an LGBTQ+ child.

My mission is to transform the conversation around embracing, education, empowering, and loving LGBTQIA+ adolescents, teenagers, and young adults.

You may be asking – how do we change this conversation? I believe it starts within each one of us, blossoms within our families, and then grows within our communities and beyond. My principles are simple yet effective – To embrace, educate, empower, and love.

I am grateful for this opportunity to connect with parents, allies, advocates, and all who are, among all of their many wonderful traits, LGBTQ!

Nestled in this site you will find:

PODCAST

Do you have a child, teen, or young adult who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or another sexual orientation or gender identity?

Do you feel alone in your effort to support them on their journey or navigate your own?

Do you want to learn how to make your work environment more inclusive and well-informed?

Using a combination of solo episodes on in-depth topics and interviews with fascinating guests. Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ+ Teen helps calm you, educate you, inspire you, and support you on this beautifully unpredictable journey.

BLOG

Covering topics ranging from the LGBTQ+ coming out process to mental health to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate spaces - the Chrysalis Mama blog is a space to learn, grow, and become empowered.

hand with heart and rainbow lgbtq

Identity Understanding Coming Out Embracing LGBTQIA+ | Chrysalis Mama

July 24, 20234 min read

Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT

Coming out is not a single, one-time event but a complex process that unfolds over time. - Heather Hester

Coming out of the closet, a phrase often heard but seldom understood in its entirety. What does it mean? Who does it involve? And how can we, as a society - as parents, friends, co-workers, and employers - offer our support during this critical process? Today, we delve into the intricate and very personal journey of coming out in the LGBTQIA+ community, offering a hand of understanding and support to those embarking on this path.

Understanding the Coming Out Journey

What Does ‘Coming Out’ Mean?

Coming out of the closet, or simply coming out, is a term used in the LGBTQIA+ community to describe the process of self-disclosure of one's sexual orientation or gender identity. It is an intensely personal and transformative journey that involves self-acceptance, self-expression, and, often, a great deal of courage.

Coming Out: A Multi-Stage Process

Coming out is not a single, one-time event but a complex process that unfolds over time. Understanding the stages of coming out can help us empathize with individuals navigating this journey.

In 1979, clinical psychologist and sex therapist Vivienne Cass stunned the mental health community with her discovery that sexual orientation and gender identity are not mental health issues but rather developmental stages and therefore should be removed from the DSM5 as a mental health diagnosis. Based on her vast research she developed the Cass Identity Model which describes the six stages one experiences when coming out as LGBTQIA+.

Confusion: The individual becomes aware that their sexual orientation and/or gender identity may not line up with what society considers cisgender and heteronormative. As they deny what they are realizing, many thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions create confusion and general emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual instability for them.

Comparison: The denial and avoidance from stage one rolls right into stage two. In this stage the individual feels out of place, perhaps even hiding their true self to avoid judgment or external cruelty. They compare what they are feeling on the inside to what they see as others' experiences on the outside.

Tolerance: The individual acknowledges their feelings and attractions that might not align with societal expectations. They may grapple with internal conflict and confusion during this stage.

Acceptance: In this stage, individuals accept their sexual orientation or gender identity as a part of their identity. They begin to feel more comfortable in their skin.

Pride: This is the stage where individuals start sharing their identity with others. It can start with a close friend or family member and gradually expand to include others.

Synthesis: Here, the individual is comfortable enough to openly identify as LGBTQIA+ in more public settings.

Each stage comes with its own set of emotions and challenges, highlighting the importance of understanding and support from their environment.

Support During the Coming Out Process

A supportive network plays a vital role during the coming out process. So how can we offer our support?

Listen: Allow them to share their experiences without interruption or judgment. This can offer them a safe space to express their feelings.

Empathize: Understand that they might be experiencing a range of emotions. Show empathy rather than sympathy.

Respect their Pace: Remember, it's their journey and they have the right to navigate it at their own pace. Avoid rushing them into any stage.

Educate Yourself: Learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, their struggles, rights, and terminologies. This can help you offer more informed and sensitive support. Check out HRC.org and ACLU.org to learn more about struggles and rights. Click here to access my Language of LGBTQIA+ ebook.

The Danger Around Coming Out

Unfortunately, not everyone experiences a safe and supportive environment when coming out. Discrimination, rejection, and even violence can be a harsh reality for many. It's crucial to acknowledge these dangers and work towards creating a more accepting and inclusive society.

Coming out is a deeply personal and transformative process for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community. It's a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and expression that requires courage, patience, and resilience. As allies, our role is to extend our unwavering support, understanding, and respect, fostering an environment that not only accepts but celebrates diversity. Through empathy and education, we can contribute to making the coming out journey less daunting and more empowering for every individual in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Back to Blog

Loving and raising an LGBTQ+ child is a very special journey that comes with very specific joys and challenges. It is vital - not to mention time, money, and potentially life saving - to work with someone who has traveled a similar path.

Here is why - in additional to the benefits of that person's life experience and the knowledge that comes along with it, you also get empathy, validation, and someone who can hold space for you.

Looking for a speaker or presenter on the topic of LGBTQ youth or allyship for your organization or event? You're in the right place!

  • I have intense life experience on the topic coupled with hundreds of hours consulting with professionals.

  • Audiences appreciate my raw and empathetic approach.

  • Parents and allies appreciate the relevant information and stories that provide them with education, tools, and strategies as well as the knowledge that they are not alone!

WORK WITH ME

You are likely on this page because your child or a loved one has recently come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or another sexual orientation or gender identity and you are looking for resources and tools. I know the joys and challenges of parenting an LGBTQ child.

Or, maybe you’re here because your company or organization is looking for someone
to lead LGBTQ+ Allyship workshops or speaking events. I can help you with that!

Don’t panic. Take a deep breath. You are in the right place. I’ve been where you are. I’ve felt the shock, the joy, the terror, the growth, the unconditional love, the fierce mama bear response. It’s A LOT! And, it can be challenging to find support, guidance, resources, and education. That’s why I’m here.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HEATHER

ABOUT

CONTACT

Looking for tips, tools, and strategies along with a little peace of mind? I invite you into the Chrysalis world!

I am grateful for all who have asked how they can help further this mission!

© 2024 Chrysalis Mama • All Rights Reserved