Looking for LGBTQ+ resources to support your queer child? Here are some local organisations that can help.
Happy Pride Month! Here at HoneyKids, we’re proud to celebrate diversity and inclusion in different ways, like by starting a conversation about race with our kids, or by curling up with a book that teaches them the importance of diversity. After all, Pride Month is a chance to celebrate all-inclusive love and a time for allies to support members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you’re a parent of a queer child and are trying to deeper understand your child, here are some LGBTQ+ resources in Singapore for parents to check out.
Oogachaga
If your child has recently come out to you, you may find it hard to understand what they’re going through and are looking for ways to help them. Chances are, they might not want to talk about this to you because they’re still figuring themselves out. Besides being loving and accepting in their coming out, check out Oogachaga – Singapore’s most established LGBTQ+ community, a non-profit organisation for individuals, couples, and families.
Oogachaga not only has counselling and support services for your LGBTQ+ child, but also has dedicated hotline and Whatsapp numbers you can contact. Alternatively, you can also fix an appointment with a member of its team of professional counsellors who work with LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families, and family members of those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Looking for other resources? Congregaytion is an LGBTQ+ community resource portal started by the folks from Oogachaga. It has articles, videos and other publications for parents and those in the community.
Young Out Here
This dedicated community and space is a platform that supports LGBTQ+ youths by fostering a healthy identity, moral responsibility and secular and inclusive thinking. Plus, it’s also a space for those who may be questioning their sexuality. Join its Facebook group to find out more!
Transgender SG
An education and resource portal for transgender persons in Singapore, Transgender SG is a great web resource for parents of transgender children to consult. Parents can learn more about the issues faced by transgenders during transitioning, and where to get help for issues such as hormone therapy, surgeries, voice training, gender dysmorphia and more within Singapore. There are also additional LGBTQ+ resources, support groups and organisations that you can reach out to.
SAFE
Support, affirm and empower LGBTQ+ friends and family members is the name of the game from the folks at SAFE. You’ll find information to understand your loved ones better, FAQs on sexuality, sexual orientation, homophobia and more. Specifically, it has an FAQ page for parents of LGBTQ+ persons which you may find helpful, too.
Health Promotion Board
Have burning questions about sexuality and want an extensive rundown of answers? The Health Promotion Board has a page of most commonly asked questions on sexuality and sex education for anyone to read.
Pink Dot SG
Perhaps the most well-known organisation on the list, Pink Dot SG is a non-profit organisation for the LGBTQ+ community in Singapore. You can keep up with LGBTQ+ news in the country or volunteer at its annual Pink Dot event at Hong Lim Park. Though foreigners are unable to attend Pink Dot, you can support by contributing in whichever way you can.
Pelangi Pride Centre
Looking for some queer books for your child? Check out Pelangi Pride Centre, an LGBTQ+ community and resource centre. It has a library of fiction and non-fiction titles that you can borrow in person, and parents can volunteer at the library if you wish to do so.
Bonus resources
Always My Child
Sometimes, as parents, it’s easier for us to understand our kids’ behaviours by reading a book. Written by Kevin Jennings and Pat Shapiro, Always My Child has real-life stories, scientific research and practical advice to guide parents in understanding their LGBTQ+ children better. The book also consists of sample conversations which may help facilitate an open channel for communication with your child and has topic-specific chapters to help.
My Kid is Gay
Despite being based in the United States, My Kid Is Gay is a fantastic resource for parents to tap into that families can read to help understand their LGBTQ+ kids. After all, isn’t that what we want to do? It also has specific articles that deal with bullying, religion, mental health and more to help your child navigate any problems they might be having since coming out, and how you can help as a parent.
Top image: Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash
