Sometimes love is not enough - they need an ally

When a friend or family member comes out to you as LGBTQ, you can show your allyship by thanking them for letting you in on the news.
And it is THEIR news, so this is not something to share with other people unless your friend or family member gives you express permission to do so.

If someone you know or love comes out to you, it is often helpful to take responsibility to educate yourself on what it means to be Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender.
The newly out person has a lot to deal with. Relieve them of the burden to be your only source for information.
There are a seemingly endless supply of helpful books. See the Suggested Reading page on this website for some helpful book ideas.

When someone honors you by telling you their new name and/or pronouns, return the kindness by starting to use thier new name and pronouns.
Refusing to do so is unkind.
This is often difficult for parents who likely selected the old name and can feel hurt that their child is more comfortable with a different name. Brace yourself for hearing the original name being referred to as the dead name because the former name is likely tied to a gender they no longer identify with.
When someone gets married and takes on a new last name, their friends and family celebrate this news by using the new name. You can celebrate your transgender or nonbinary family member's transition by showing similar encouragement and support.

It is not helpful or appropriate to share every possible negative outcome one could experience due to being LGBTQ.
Your loved-one didn't chose to be LGBTQ and trying to talk them out of being LGBTQ or attempting to manage who or when they come out will likely only serve to fuel feelings of sadness, anger and/or distance.
Faith Based Arguments will not persuade your loved one out of their gender or sexual orientation.

Coming Out takes time and courage.
Encourage loved ones to seek their internal truth at their pace.
And while many families see signs that their loved one was LGBTQ, sometimes the person who is coming out has been looking at this part of their internal world, or have been secretive out of fear that they would be ridiculed or rejected.

Affirm people's right to use the restroom that corresponds to their affirmed gender.
When in public, you can offer to accompany your friend or loved one to the bathroom for their safety and comfort.
In California people of all ages have the right to use the public restroom that is consistent with their affirmed gender.

There are free peer-led support groups in most major cities known as PFLAG.
Click on the RESOURCES tab for PFLAG and and many other support opportunities.