Get Involved As A Parent,
Caregiver, or Advocate

Parents & Caregivers
Of Queer And Gender Nonconforming Youth

Your Support Matters More Than You Know

The teenage years can be challenging for both youth and their parents. Research suggests that queer and gender nonconforming teens experience better health outcomes when their parents support their sexual orientation positively and affirmatively. Compared to teens who do not feel valued by their parents, LGBTQ+ youth who feel valued by their parents are less likely to

  • Experience depression

  • Attempt suicide

  • Use drugs and alcohol

  • Become infected with sexually transmitted diseases

Finding Support as You Support Your Teen

We know this isn’t always easy. As a parent, you might feel unsure, isolated, or worried about saying or doing the “right” thing. You’re not alone. At Rainbow Labs, we believe that when a young person joins our programs, their parents deserve support, too.

You’ll gain access to helpful resources, and—more importantly—a community of other parents who understand what you’re going through. Together, we talk openly, learn from each other, and show up for our teens in ways that matter.

Have a question or need support? Ask a Rainbow Labs Mentor →

Got questions? Ask a Rainbow Labs Mentor

Not everything fits in a group chat. If you’ve got a question about identity, coming out, relationships, or just life stuff, we’ve got mentors ready to share real, lived experience. No judgment. Just honest answers.

Advocates

We need advocates to support and uplift our community. Advocates are parents, friends, family, co-workers, and much more. From the AIDS crisis to Marriage Equality, advocates have walked alongside the community, supporting our needs for equal rights.

Rainbow Labs calls on advocates to get involved by:

  • Fundraising (donating/in-kind)

  • Spreading awareness of our organization’s mission and the challenges queer and gender nonconfirming youth face

  • Bringing your expertise to enhance our programming and overall organization’s mission

Advocates can contact us via email at info@rainbowlabs.org if they want to get involved in these ways or have other ideas.