#92 | 6 Practical Tips Parents and Allies Need to Support LGBTQ Kids With Courage and Respect

Heather Hester welcomes Jeannie Gainsburg, author of the newly released second edition of "The Savvy Ally," to discuss essential strategies for becoming an effective LGBTQ ally. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding and respecting pronouns, as well as the need for continuous learning and adaptability in allyship. Jeannie shares her journey from a late bloomer in advocacy to becoming an educational trainer in LGBTQ inclusion, highlighting the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. Listeners will find practical advice on how to engage respectfully with LGBTQ communities, including tips for addressing outdated language and fostering inclusivity in everyday situations. This insightful dialogue reinforces that being an ally is an ongoing process of growth and understanding, encouraging everyone to embrace mistakes as part of the journey.

Join the conversation as Heather and Jeannie take a deep dive into the ever changing terminology in the LGBTQ+ community, embracing and accepting diverse pathways of gender identity, and the role of allies can take in order to show their support.

Get caught up in using 'they' as a singular pronoun? Learn the trick that Jeannie used to make it part of her everyday vocabulary.

About our Guest:

Jeannie Gainsburg is an award-winning educational trainer and consultant in the field of LGBTQ+ inclusion and effective allyship. Formerly the Education Director at the Out Alliance of Rochester, N.Y., she is the founder of Savvy Ally Action and author of the book, The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate. In 2019, Jeannie received a citation from the New York State Assembly for Distinguished Educational & Human Rights Services for her work in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.

Website: https://www.savvyallyaction.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvyally

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniegainsburgauthor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannie-gainsburg/

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.

If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

Takeaways:

• The importance of being an ally is an ongoing journey filled with mistakes.
• Jeannie Gainsberg emphasizes that language evolves, and we must update our terms accordingly.
• Using someone's current name and pronouns is crucial for respect and inclusivity.
• Volunteering at local LGBTQ events is a meaningful way to support the community.
• Understanding and properly using pronouns can significantly impact the lives of others.
• Being an ally involves voting and advocating for LGBTQ rights in your community.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive podcast and space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community—including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals—while addressing grief, boundaries, education, diversity, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, social justice, and the power of human kindness through a lens of ally support and community engagement.

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