Every June, Pride Month honors the LGBTQ+ community by promoting awareness, acceptance, and equality. While much of the focus often centers on adults, it’s equally important to acknowledge that support for LGBTQ+ individuals begins in childhood—through inclusive education, open conversation, and affirming healthcare.
Pediatricians play a key role in helping families navigate these conversations and supporting children and adolescents as they grow and develop their identities. Pride Month offers an opportunity for both healthcare providers and parents to reflect on how we can raise empathetic, respectful, and inclusive children.
Talking to Kids About Inclusion and Kindness
Children begin to notice differences in people from a very young age. Research shows that by age 2–4, children start forming gender identity and noticing family dynamics, appearances, and behaviors that differ from their own. Talking about inclusion early helps foster kindness, reduce bias, and create a culture of acceptance.
Tips for age-appropriate conversations:
- Use inclusive language when discussing families, relationships, and roles
- Encourage questions and respond with honest, judgment-free answers
- Read books and share media that reflect diverse identities and family structures
- Emphasize respect and kindness for everyone, regardless of how they look, dress, or whom they love
By creating space for open conversations, children are better equipped to understand and support people with experiences that differ from their own.
How Pediatricians Support LGBTQ+ Youth and Their Families
Pediatricians are often among the first professionals to notice emotional or developmental challenges in children and adolescents. For LGBTQ+ youth, a trusted pediatrician can provide an essential support system—especially for those who may not feel safe expressing themselves in other environments.
Key ways pediatricians contribute:
- Screening for anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, which are more prevalent among LGBTQ+ adolescents
- Offering referrals to mental health professionals or gender-affirming specialists when appropriate
- Providing resources and guidance to parents on how to support their child’s identity
- Encouraging ongoing dialogue about self-expression, emotional health, and respectful peer interaction
Why Early Support Matters: Mental Health & Risk Statistics
Studies consistently show that LGBTQ+ youth face higher mental health risks, not because of their identity itself, but due to societal stigma, discrimination, or lack of support.
- According to The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey:
- 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year
- Among transgender and nonbinary youth, that number rose to 54%
- LGBTQ+ youth who had at least one accepting adult in their life were 40% less likely to attempt suicide
- 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that:
- Supportive family environments and affirming healthcare interactions improve mental health outcomes
- Pediatricians should help families create affirming home environments, especially when children are questioning or exploring their identity
- Supportive family environments and affirming healthcare interactions improve mental health outcomes
Encouraging Empathy From a Young Age
Fostering empathy in children is not only foundational for healthy relationships—it helps prevent bullying, exclusion, and emotional harm.
How to nurture empathy:
- Teach children to consider how others feel
- Encourage them to speak up when they see someone being treated unfairly
- Discuss real-life scenarios where inclusion or exclusion took place and what could have been done differently
- Promote values like compassion, kindness, and curiosity about others
Pride Month isn’t just about celebration—it’s a reminder of the importance of support, understanding, and equity for all people, starting in childhood. Pediatricians play a vital role in encouraging inclusive conversations, identifying mental health risks, and guiding families as they raise empathetic, open-minded children.
If you have questions about how to support your child or want guidance on developmental and emotional health topics, pediatricians are here to help—not only during Pride Month, but year-round. 404-252-4611
