Loving your child when they are different
This booklet ‘Loving Your Child When They Are Different’ is a joint product of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). It has been created by a group of people from various cultural and faith backgrounds for multicultural and
multifaith families wondering how to best support those who have told them they are LGBTQA.
People with different sexualities and genders exist in every faith and every culture and can find ways to live fully as themselves while holding onto their faith and
culture. They shouldn’t have to hide or try to change who they are to fit into their religious or cultural community. While it can be natural for families and parents to feel worried, uncertain or unsure when their child lets them know they are, or might be LGBTQA, it takes courage to think about how they can support their child and their family.
This booklet looks to help these families protect their loved ones and stay connected to them, even when they are still working things out for themselves. The stories in this booklet are based on real conversations with people across different cultural and faith communities who want to provide support and guidance for families. Trying to make someone change or hide their sexuality or gender is called a ‘conversion practice’. Even when a family means well, these practices can harm the people they love and what they are doing may be against the law.
The booklet was created by Sekneh Beckett, Percy Gurtler, Teresa Ma, Kenton P. Miller, Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Alushka Rajaram, Abanob Saad, and Aisya Zaharin
and written by Percy Gurtler in collaboration with these steering group members. The content is based on true stories of people who have survived conversion practices.
This booklet is a joint product of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
You can access a digital copy of the booklet ‘Loving Your Child When They Are Different’ here and a version with double-
page spreads here.
While we were developing the booklet, we looked at the most affirming words there are to describe queer and trans people. Many terms can carry an inherent judgement of different sexualities and gender expressions. We began a list of Words across cultures for people of diverse sexualities and genders that you can read here. If you have suggestions for additions, please contact us.
We also looked at histories of sexuality and gender diversity across cultures written by Aisya Zaharin. You can see the document here, which will be added to over time. Please do come back and check this page for updates as we hope to add to it over time.
You can also see associated material at these websites:
Switchboard – Support for LGBTIQA+ people of faith https://www.switchboard.org.au/people-of-faith
VEOHRC – For people of faith, professionals and other communities https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/change-or-suppression-
practices/for-professionals-institutions-and-communities/
VEOHRC – Booklet: Talking with your child about sexuality and gender identity https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/talking-with-your-child-csp/
If you are looking for more support as an LGBTQA+ person or a family member of an LGBTQA+ person, you can find a list of support groups, organisations, and other
resources below. We will keep adding to this list over time.
Resource List Groups and organisations
AGMC https://agmc.org.au/
Queer Arabs Australia queerarabsaustralia.org
Sydney Queer Muslims sydneyqueermuslims.org.au
Queer Muslim Naarm (Melbourne) https://www.instagram.com/queermuslimnaarm/
Yellow Kitties https://yellowkitties.org/
Gay Asian Proud (GAP) https://thorneharbour.org/services/multicultural-health/gap-
gay-asian-proud/
Greek and Gay Supportive Network https://pridecentre.org.au/resources/greek-and-
gay-support-network/
Aleph Melbourne https://aleph.org.au/
Nusantara Queer Community United
https://www.instagram.com/nusantaraqueermunityunited/
FOBGAYS+ https://www.instagram.com/fobgays/
Many Coloured Sky https://www.manycolouredsky.org/
LGBTQIA+ refugee hub https://www.manycolouredsky.org/qraspaustralia
Forcibly Displaced Peoples Network https://www.fdpn.org.au/
Acceptance Melbourne LGBTIQ Catholics https://melbourneacceptance.com.au/
Directories and online resources
https://www.rainbowcultures.org.au/
https://www.rainbowterminology.org/
https://linktr.ee/onefootin
https://www.switchboard.org.au/people-of-faith
https://startts.org.au/services/lgbtqia-project/
Programs
SETs: Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program at Many Coloured
Sky https://www.queerspace.org.au/our-programs/settlement-engagement-transition-
support-program/
(in)Visible: connecting young queer and trans people aged 16-25 years old from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds through community workshops and
events https://www.queerspace.org.au/our-services/queerspace-youth/
Multicultural Peers Project MPP Multicultural Peers Project – Outloud
STARTTS Walk On Walk Strong (NSW) NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors has a dedicated LGBTQIA+ project
called Walk on Walk Strong, designed for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, including Arabic speakers, dealing with trauma and settlement
challenges.Nsw
startts.org.au
STARTTS-LGBTQIA-Project-Walk-on-Walk-Strong-Stories-refugee-trauma_2023.pdf