This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids: A Question & Answer Guide to Everyday Life by Dannielle Owens-Reid & Kristin Russo

This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids: A Question & Answer Guide to Everyday Life by Dannielle Owens-Reid & Kristin Russo

Author:Dannielle Owens-Reid & Kristin Russo [Owens-Reid, Dannielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Published: 2014-09-09T04:00:00+00:00


Q: Should I be concerned about sexually transmitted infections like AIDS?

A: You should be concerned about STIs, including HIV and AIDS, just as you would be if your child were not gay. The main cause for elevated concern is the lack of proper safe-sex education many LGBTQ youth receive in schools. While heterosexual youth are sometimes afforded health education that includes extremely vital safe-sex practices, LGBTQ youth are often overlooked entirely in such lessons. However, since no two health education classes are the same, and some overlook safe-sex practices for all individuals, your concern about your child’s safety—regardless of their sexuality—is valid. But that doesn’t mean your gay kid is in grave danger of contracting an STI; it means you should help educate them so that they can remain safe and protected.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the world saw an outbreak of the AIDS virus for the very first time. As it was a new disease, people were uneducated about how it was transmitted, doctors were unsure of how to properly test for and treat patients, and thousands of people—many gay men among them—died within a very short span of time. The public was led to believe that the death and devastation happening within the gay community was linked to prevailing assumptions about promiscuity within this community. These were unfounded, and untrue, assumptions. As we discussed in a previous question, promiscuity is not something that is linked with a person’s sexuality. AIDS, just like any other STI, is an infection that can affect any person who does not know how to engage in safe-sex practices. It’s best to educate your child about STIs, no matter how they identify. As your kid becomes sexually active, it is critical that they understand the risks involved and the ways in which they can protect themselves. Because LGBTQ youth receive less instruction on these matters in school settings, it falls much more to you, the parent, to provide them with the tools they need to make safe and informed decisions. Refer to Safe Sex 101 (page 122) to help you initiate this conversation, and also look to the Resources on page 236 for further information.



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