A Road Trip to Love

Why Our Responses to Children Matter

Jul 23, 2018
4 min

Why Our Responses to Children Matter

An invitation for all families. “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” ~ Robert Fulghum Last week I heard an openly gay father say his children don’t know he’s gay. As a gay uncle with five nieces and nephews, it caught my attention. I also gave a TEDx talk that specifically addresses how being open and honest with children from a young age can prevent homophobia and bullying. I was curious why his kids didn’t know. I’d first

Helping Create Allies One Child at a Time

Dec 11, 2016
4 min

Helping Create Allies One Child at a Time

Michelle’s mother realized she’s transgender one night while consoling her after a panic attack. She said Michelle began getting really bad panic attacks before bed when she was 10 years old. On this one particular night while rocking her in her arms, Michelle asked her a question. Not raising her in a particular religion, she was shocked at what she asked. Through her tears, she asked, “Mom, you wouldn’t lie to me would you? If I asked you something, you wouldn’t lie?” She s

Messages from the Playground: How to Address Homophobia and Bullying

May 13, 2015
9 min

Messages from the Playground: How to Address Homophobia and Bullying

“Uncle Chris, is she your girlfriend?” Suddenly I was a teen again. I felt like I did before I was out of the closet and someone would bring up the word “gay.” I could feel the hair on my neck rise, the color burn into my cheeks and the knot in my stomach. How is it that I, who have been out of the closet for 10 years, who’s life is dedicated to LGBT advocacy work, an individual who mentors gay youth and prides himself on visibility, who was in fact visiting Arizona to give a