#187 | Back-to-School as an Ally: Simple Steps to Create Safer Classrooms for LGBTQ Youth

More Human More Kind: Guidance for Parenting LGBTQ+ Teens & Growing Into a Courageous Ally

Is your LGBTQ child heading back to school feeling supported or silently dreading the year ahead?

While a new school year can be exciting, for many LGBTQ+ kids it also brings fear of being misgendered, misunderstood, or left out. In this episode, Heather shares actionable guidance for parents, caregivers, and allies who want to make the back-to-school transition safer, more affirming, and rooted in compassion.

• Learn age-appropriate strategies to support LGBTQ+ kids in both elementary and middle school
• Use powerful scripts to communicate with teachers and advocate for inclusive practices
• Equip your child with emotional tools, confidence-building rituals, and social safety plans

Hit play to find the guidance and courage you need to help your LGBTQ child feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive this school year.

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Resource: Gender Spectrum – Back-to-School Resources

Why it matters: These free resources include conversation starters, tips for building support teams, and guides for both parents and educators.

Other supports:

• HRC Welcoming Schools – tools for inclusive classrooms
• GLSEN Educator Guides – lesson plans, safe space posters, and school policy templates
• PFLAG’s Guide for Elementary Educators – great for starting gentle conversations

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.

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

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