February 03 - Why So Many Parents Miss the Silent Phase of LGBTQ Identity — And How to Be the Ally Y

4 Feb 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:59

Heather Hester explains why parents often miss signs of LGBTQ identity in teens. During adolescence, young people analyze family messages, test and deny their feelings, and fear rejection even in accepting homes. The teen years are crucial for building emotional intelligence and showing up as an ally.

Chapters

And this is a really good reminder for us to watch our words because it is during these years that our kids really begin to analyze what is being said and how they fit into the family system. They may be trying to test their feelings internally. Again, the, the teen years hold huge opportunity for emotional intelligence to develop. They may be battling fear of rejection. Even in the most loving and affirming of families or progressive communities, teens still worry about rejection. That is how deeply ingrained it is in societal messaging. And they may be in denial and pretending nothing is changing, which is just creating more internal turmoil for them.