Is your LGBTQ child heading back to school feeling supported or silently dreading the year ahead?
While a new school year can be exciting, for many LGBTQ+ kids it also brings fear of being misgendered, misunderstood, or left out. In this episode, Heather shares actionable guidance for parents, caregivers, and allies who want to make the back-to-school transition safer, more affirming, and rooted in compassion.
- Learn age-appropriate strategies to support LGBTQ+ kids in both elementary and middle school
- Use powerful scripts to communicate with teachers and advocate for inclusive practices
- Equip your child with emotional tools, confidence-building rituals, and social safety plans
Hit play to find the guidance and courage you need to help your LGBTQ child feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive this school year.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Resource: Gender Spectrum – Back-to-School Resources
Why it matters: These free resources include conversation starters, tips for building support teams, and guides for both parents and educators.
Other supports:
- HRC Welcoming Schools – tools for inclusive classrooms
- GLSEN Educator Guides – lesson plans, safe space posters, and school policy templates
- PFLAG’s Guide for Elementary Educators – great for starting gentle conversations
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
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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 grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those 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 in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.
