This week we talk to Heather Hester about her experience as a parent of LGBTQIA+ teenagers and ally.  We discuss her son's roller coaster ride through coming out as gay at 16 and the perils of apps like Grindr and laws like the "Don't Say Gay" bills cropping up throughout the United States.

Heather Hester is the founder of Chrysalis Mama which provides support and education to parents and allies of LGBTQIA adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. She is also the creator and host of the podcast Just Breathe: Parenting your LGBTQ Teen. As an advocate and coach for parents and allies , she believes the coming out process is equal parts beautiful and messy. She works with her clients to let go of fear and the feelings of isolation so that they can reconnect with themselves and their child in a meaningful, grounded way. Heather creates a space where growth and shifts can occur through education and empowerment, instilling the confidence that anyone can move through the coming out process with understanding and love. She is a writer, married to her best friend 27 years, the mother of four extraordinary kids (two of whom are LGBTQIA), and a student of life who believes in being authentic and embracing the messiness.

Your can find more about Heather on her website:

https://chrysalismama.com/

Heather also mentioned great resources for parents of LGBTQIA+ teens:

The Trevor Project
Human Rights Campaign
GLSEN

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