What does it really mean to affirm an LGBTQ+ child - and why does it matter so much more than just saying “I love you no matter what”?

In today’s powerful and practical episode, Heather explores how safety for LGBTQ+ youth begins not just in policy or protection, but in the everyday relationships that hold them. From correcting a pronoun without guilt, to celebrating milestones with joy, to staying curious instead of controlling, this episode offers a blueprint for parents, educators, and allies to show up with presence, compassion, and intention.

• Learn the 3 pillars of affirming relationships: Presence Over Perfection, Curiosity Without Control, and Allyship in Action
• Discover real-life language shifts, reflection practices, and parenting tools you can start using today
• Understand why affirmation isn’t one moment - it’s an ongoing relationship, and one of the greatest gifts you can give a young person

Press play to learn how to be a source of safety, trust, and joy for the LGBTQ+ youth in your life—starting right now.

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Family Acceptance Project – https://familyproject.sfsu.edu

Trevor Project Guide for Allies – https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources

PFLAG Parent Guide – https://pflag.org

Parenting with Pride – My book includes affirming scripts, self-reflection prompts, and deeper dives into building trust.

And of course, our Kind Space community is always open to those walking this journey together.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

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Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.

If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive podcast and space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community—including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals—while addressing grief, boundaries, education, diversity, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, social justice, and the power of human kindness through a lens of ally support and community engagement.