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Community Corner

RAISING LGBTQ CHILDREN

RAISING LGBTQ CHILDREN

A three-session learning and discussion opportunity for parents, adult family members and caretakers
of children and youth (18 or younger) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning
(LGBTQ).

Sundays from 2:00 to 3:30 pm on October 21, November 4 and November 18, 2012 at Rainbow
Community Center, 2118 Willow Pass Road, Concord, CA (map and directions here)

Participants will have the opportunity to:



  • Break the silence of holding a “stressful secret” with no one to talk to

  • Share fears for our kids and exchange ideas on how to protect them from bullying and harassment

  • Learn how to better support our children and help them develop in healthy ways

  • Acknowledge and discuss core values and beliefs that make it challenging to accept our children as LGBTQ individuals

  • Develop plans for future parent/caregiver support opportunities



Join us for any session if the entire series doesn’t fit your schedule.


SESSION 1
: Family Stories; Learn more about the harmful effects of rejection on LGBTQ children; Idea Exchange

SESSION 2: Family Stories; Discuss challenges in accepting LGBTQ children from a religious perspective; Idea Exchange

SESSION 3:
 Family Stories; Advocating for your LGBTQ child; Planning for future parent/caregiver support opportunities

SESSION LEADERS:

Maria Toyofuku is the proud mother of three sons. She and her family have firsthand
awareness of the challenges LGBTQ youth may encounter, both internally, and in society.
Through her experience as a parent, she has also witnessed the life-changing power of
communication, support, education, and advocacy regarding issues affecting LGBTQ youth.
Maria's professional background is in counseling.

Jerry Peterson is a gay man who was married and has three adult children. He is the facilitator
of the Contra Costa LGBTQ Youth Advocacy Collaborative which works to create more accepting
environments in families, schools, faith groups and community service organizations. Jerry has
great compassion for the difficulties families face when a child identifies as LGBTQ.

Other services for LGBTQ youth and families in Contra Costa County

Counseling Services


We currently offer counseling services for free or at a low cost thanks to a grant from the Contra Costa County Division of Behavioral Health. We also accept payments from Medi-Cal. Counseling services are available during daytime and evening hours Monday through Saturday with offices in East and Central county. To request services please call RCC's counseling line at 925-692-2056. This is a confidential line only answered by RCC's mental health counselors.
Youth Services

Operation Q, RCC's youth program operates every Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon at the center's Concord offices. The program includes support groups, events, drop-in hours and one-on-one support and mentoring. For more information contact RCC's Youth Director, Alpha Mulugeta, MSW925.692.0090 or alpha@rainbowcc.org.  For more information about upcoming events visit our Facebook page at http://tinyurl.com/RCCQcamP
County-Wide Support for LGBTQ Youth


Each year in Contra Costa County, it is estimated that an average of 5 adolescents die by suicide and many others attempt to take their own lives, motivated by hopelessness, depression and a belief that they have no support or acceptance. The Contra Costa LGBTQ Youth Advocacy Collaborative was formed to increase support for LGBTQ youth.The Collaborative is a joint community effort to engage  families, peers, schools, faith groups and other community members and raise awareness of the harmful effects of  rejection on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning  youth. To find out more information about how your school or church can participate in the LGBTQ Youth Collaborative contact Jerry Peterson at jerry.peterson3@yahoo.com and visit the collaborative website: http://www.rainbowcc.org/programs/lgbtq-youth-collaborative/.

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