Youth Acceptance Project

Research has shown that family acceptance is an enormous protective factor for the long-term well-being of LGBTQ and gender expansive children and youth.  Accepting behavior is positively correlated with a myriad of mental and physical health indicators including increased self-esteem, social support, and general health status, as well as decreased depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation and behaviors among LGBTQ youth.

This intervention serves as a family preservation and family reunification tool in the Bay Area, assisting families who are struggling with the sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression of their child.  Family advocates use a psycho-educational model to address the misinformation, resistance, fear, and grief that families often struggle with; ultimately moving families to a place of acceptance of their child.