Struggles Facing LGBTQ Youth and Their Families
“There is just one life for each of us: our own.” — Euripides
Work with LGBT Youth
I specialize in work with LGBT youth struggling with questions of sexual orientation and gender identity. You may feel isolated and rejected and have withdrawn from your family and friends. You may experience anxiety or depression and turn to drugs or alcohol to feel better. You may need someone who understands what you are going through. Someone who can listen, provide perspective and support, and who will help you think about so many issues that may be coming up — talking with family and friends, facing bullying at your school, meeting other questioning adolescents or even beginning a GSA at your school.
Work with parents of LGBT Youth
Many parents are not sure how to best support their children’s struggles with sexuality and gender identity. They know that they want to be there for their child but feel helpless and lost. We will work together to help you continue to guide, hold and provide for your growing child. It is so important for parents to also examine their feelings and thoughts around their child’s disclosure. Many very progressive parents are surprised at their hidden prejudice, fears and challenging ideas when they discover that their own child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, gender variant or questioning. We will work together to understand your reactions and the struggles facing you and your child.
Contact Me
We can begin to discuss your particular concerns and the best way to proceed by telephone at
(510) 686-3773 or email at shannondubach@gmail.com. Below are some additional resources that may be of immediate help.
Additional Resources
- PEPS: LGBTQIA+ Resources for Parents
- Camp Ten Trees
- Advocates for Youth: GLBTQ resources for parents and youth.
- East Bay LGBTQQI2-Spirit Youth Resources A more extensive list of East Bay LGBTQ Youth Resources.
- Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children A comprehensive guidebook for the parents of children who do not identify with or behave according to their biological gender.
- Gender Spectrum, providing education, training and support to help create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for all children and teens.
- GSA(Gay-Straight-Alliance)Network Empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools.
- PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
- Queer Glossary – it may not be perfect but it’s a start!
- Quotations to bring a smile – a bit of levity and perspective helps us all
- The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals.
- Trans Lifeline, 877-565-8860
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Youth Information Line, (206) 547-7900
- Scarleteen, sex education website
- GLAAD, Amplify Youth Resource Page
- Gay City, resource list for the greater Seattle area
- World Professional Organization for Transgender Health
- Trans Youth Family Allies
- Family Acceptance Project
- Lead With Love
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health
- Gender Creative Kids
- GSA Network
- Q Youth Resources, Bremerton, WA
- Stonewall Youth Center, Olympia, WA
- Ingersoll Gender Center, Seattle, WA
- Lambert House, Seattle, WA
- Oasis Youth Center, Tacoma, WA
- The NW Network, Seattle, WA
- Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Seattle, WA
- OUT There Adventures
- The Trevor Project, helping LGBTQ youth in crisis
- Pride Institute, LGBTQ+ chemical dependency recovery programs
- Family Acceptance Project
- Transstudent.org
- GLSEN.org
- The Aubin Aphasia Speech and Language Center, Gender Voice Affirming work for individuals who are exploring or are committed to implementing Transgender changes, BI
- Digital Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ and Allies