--- title: Supporting LGBTQIA+ young people in your home description: Support LGBTQIA+ young people in care by creating a safe, accepting environment that supports their identity, providing resources and acceptance. --- Decrease text size A- | Increase text size A+ | High contrast mode - [Our services](https://caspa.org.au/our-services) - [Our services](https://caspa.org.au/our-services) - [Foster care](https://caspa.org.au/foster-care) - [Children & young people](https://caspa.org.au/our-services/children-and-young-people) - [Disability services](https://caspa.org.au/disability-services) - [Education](https://caspa.org.au/education) - [Family and carer support](https://caspa.org.au/family-and-carer-support) - [Allied health services](https://caspa.org.au/allied-health-services) - [About us](https://caspa.org.au/who-is-caspa) - [About us](https://caspa.org.au/who-is-caspa) - [Our people](https://caspa.org.au/about-caspa/our-people) - [Our impact](https://caspa.org.au/our-impact) - [Our mission ](https://caspa.org.au/about-caspa/what-motivates-us) - Our initiatives - [CASPA Foundation](https://caspafoundation.org.au/caspa-foundation) - [Lawyers 4 Hope](https://lawyers4hope.org.au/home) - [Work with us](https://caspa.org.au/work-with-us) - [Work with us](https://caspa.org.au/work-with-us) - [Become a carer](https://caspa.org.au/become-a-carer) - [Volunteer](https://caspa.org.au/donate-volunteer) - [Partner with us](https://caspa.org.au/partner-with-us) - [CASPA stories](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories) - [CASPA stories](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories) - [News & media](https://caspa.org.au/news-media) - [Contact us](https://caspa.org.au/contact-us) - [Contact us](https://caspa.org.au/contact-us) - [After hours support](https://caspa.org.au/after-hours) - [Disaster support](https://caspa.org.au/disaster-support) [ Search ](https://caspa.org.au/supporting-lgbtqia-young-people-in-your-home#) [ Donate ](https://caspa.org.au/donate-volunteer?hsLang=en) accessibility controls [Home](https://caspa.org.au/?hsLang=en) [ Conscious carer hub ](https://caspa.org.au/conscious-carer-hub?hsLang=en) Supporting LGBTQIA+ young people in your home ## Open heart, open home Supporting LGBTQIA+ young people in your home **Being a young person is hard. Being a *different* young person is even harder.** Young people in care may already feel othered because their home life doesn't match their peers'. So it's no surprise they may be nervous to share other vulnerable parts of themselves for fear of judgement or rejection. As carers and safe adults, it's our job to create spaces where young people can be unapologetically themselves. While it might feel intimidating or uncomfortable, its important we show with our words and actions that we and our homes are safe spaces for them to explore their identity.  Creating a supportive environment means actively listening, being open-minded, educating yourself and showing unconditional acceptance. ### How can I help? - ![Simple Home with Heart Large Blue](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Simple%20Home%20with%20Heart%20Large%20Blue.png?width=448&name=Simple%20Home%20with%20Heart%20Large%20Blue.png) ##### A safe & supportive home base Provide a home environment where young people are accepted for and encouraged to be their authentic selves. - ![Simple Rainbow Blue Medium](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Simple%20Rainbow%20Blue%20Medium.png?width=448&name=Simple%20Rainbow%20Blue%20Medium.png) ##### Positive LGBTQIA+ role models Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can help. Encourage joining local or online LGBTQIA+ groups. - ![Hands Holding Heart Extra Large Blue](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Hands%20Holding%20Heart%20Extra%20Large%20Blue.png?width=448&name=Hands%20Holding%20Heart%20Extra%20Large%20Blue.png) ##### Professional & informed support Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone impartial. Linking with a dedicated therapist or support group can help. - ![Laptop Icon Extra Large Blue](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Laptop%20Icon%20Extra%20Large%20Blue.png?width=448&name=Laptop%20Icon%20Extra%20Large%20Blue.png) ##### Be proactive & educate yourself Knowledge is power. Education can help us help the young people in our care, and means we understand them better. [ More LGBTQIA+ resources ](https://www.minus18.org.au/resources/) ![hiki-app-aM-BRQtrng8-unsplash](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/hiki-app-aM-BRQtrng8-unsplash.jpg?width=616&name=hiki-app-aM-BRQtrng8-unsplash.jpg) ## The right to be me Everyone has the right to love and be loved in a way that feels safe and comfortable for them. Similarly, everyone has the right to express and identify their gender in a way that feels safe and comfortable for them. This should be without fear of persecution or discrimination. ![Young light skinned person lying on the ground looking at their smartphone. Their expression is neutral.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/pexels-eren-li-7241536.jpg?width=616&name=pexels-eren-li-7241536.jpg) ## Are you okay? A study of various LGBTQIA+ data surveys, completed in 2023 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, indicated that of the LGBTQIA+ people surveyed, 75% had experienced suicidal thoughts, and 30% had attempted suicide.  Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have been considered a high risk group by The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement in Australia since 2022. ###### **If you or someone in your care needs support, you can access LGBTQIA+ suicide prevention resources on the QLife website.** [ LGBTQIA+ suicide prevention support ](https://qlife.org.au/get-help) [ LGBTQIA+ suicide prevention support ](https://qlife.org.au/get-help) ### Common LGBTQIA+ terms and definitions 1. ###### 1 AFAB or AMAB Acronyms describing the gender you were assigned by doctors at birth. Stands for "assigned female at birth" or "assigned male at birth". 2. ###### 2 Asexual Also known as 'ace'. Someone who has little or no sexual attraction to other people. People who identify as asexual may or may not be romantically attracted to others. 3. ###### 3 Bisexual vs. pansexual Bisexuality, or being bi, describes being attracted to more than one gender. Pansexual means a person who is attracted to someone regardless of their sex or gender identity.  4. ###### 4 Cisgender Someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned by doctors at birth. The prefix 'cis' comes from the Latin meaning 'on the same side as'. 5. ###### 5 Gay Describes a person who is attracted to people of the same identified gender. 6. ###### 6 Gender diverse Describes a person who doesn't identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. There are many ways to identify gender, and people may not be male or female. 7. ###### 7 Heteronormativity When assuming others are straight, or that you have to act a certain way because of your gender, is the default. When you haven't experienced much gender and sexuality diversity, it is an easy assumption to make.  8. ###### 8 Intersex People who are born with natural variations to their hormones, chromosomes and sex organs that are different to what might be 'typically' male or female. 9. ###### 9 Lesbian A woman who is attracted to another woman. Lesbians can be cisgender or transgender. 10. ###### 10 LGBTQIA+ An umbrella term that encompasses all sexually and gender diverse people and communities. This version of the acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual, with the '+' representing identities not included. 11. ###### 11 Non-binary Non-binary means a person's gender isn't male or female. A person who is non-binary might feel like they have a mix of genders, or like they have no gender at all. 12. ###### 12 Pronouns Pronouns are words we use instead of someone’s name when we talk about them, like she/her, he/him, or they/them. People may use more than one pronoun, such as she/they or he/they. Using someone’s correct pronouns is an important way to show acceptance and respect. 13. ###### 13 Queer Historically used as a slur, queer has been reclaimed as an encompassing term that refers to anyone who is attracted to the same gender or is gender diverse. 14. ###### 14 Transgender Someone whose gender identity doesn't match the sex they were assigned at birth. 'Trans' comes from the Latin meaning 'on the other side of'. Someone who is transgender may change their name, clothes or body to affirm their gender identity, but some may not.  #### Stay up to date & subscribe to our CASPA community ##### Improving the lives of at-risk children, their families and people with disabilities is at the heart of what we do. ##### Together we thrive. We acknowledge the First Nations People upon whose stolen lands we operate. CASPA recognises that the land belonging to these peoples was never ceded, given up, bought or sold. We recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and sky. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging. CASPA welcomes and celebrates diversity. We are committed to safe and inclusive places, policies and services for people of LGBTQISB+ communities, people living with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. [ DEI statement ](https://caspa.org.au/diversity-equity-inclusion?hsLang=en) --- - [Facebook F icon ](https://www.facebook.com/caspaservices/) - [YouTube icon ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjSIO9_4DOC2sJZuDS4kBCQ) - [Instagram icon ](https://www.instagram.com/caspa.services/) - [LinkedIn icon ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/caspaservicesltd/) © 2024 CASPA Services Ltd. 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