CIRCLES of HOPE
Support For Parents with an LGBQT+ Child
Gary R. Tucker, PhD, MEdT
WHY
If there were 100 children in your circle of influence aged 8 to 15, the latest Gallup poll suggests that approximately 7 of these children would come out as gay to their parents in the next decade.
If you have a child who has come out as gay you are not alone!
How do you show up?
Guiding Principles
Parents with conflicting beliefs about their LGBTQ child's sexual orientation may feel alienated from their church community and their relationship with God.
Many parents often experience significant anxiety and struggle alone with fear, doubts, and a flood of questions.
The mission of Circles of Hope is to provide restoration for families dealing with this spiritual trauma.
No matter where your family is in its journey or what beliefs it holds, prioritizing the relationship between you and your child is crucial.
Understanding how crucial the parent-child relationship is amidst this spiritual trauma, it is essential for parents to keep in mind the 3 Guiding Principles of Hope.
- Play the “long game” and trust God with the outcome.
- Use love to build bridges to Jesus; don’t lose the relationship.
- You can love well without losing your convictions of faith.
About
Individual Guidance And Small Group Support
I am Dr. Gary R. Tucker, a Certified Professional Life Coach with a Master’s in trauma and resilience, specializing in spiritual trauma.
I received training in the unique trauma that parents of LGBTQ children experience from Center Peace. This nonprofit organization serves parents through retreats and a certificate in LGBTQ ministry.
I hope to provide guidance and resources to parents to help them understand that they do not need to choose between their faith and their children.
Circles of Hope
Circles of Hope Small Groups
A Safe Place
What does it look like to hold space well and come alongside these parents when they are experiencing this kind of spiritual trauma?
Spiritual trauma can be overwhelming and difficult to heal without support.
They need spiritual support, and they need to be offered a safe space to express their grief and express their serious struggles and questions without fear of shame or judgment.
The Circle of Hope Curriculum employs the therapeutic approach of organizing small groups in circular formations and guiding them through principles and practices that facilitate a shared exploration process.
The curriculum is structured into different topics based on the five trauma stewardship practices developed by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky (2009).
These practices have been integrated with the five faith catalysts developed by Andy Stanley, a renowned author and senior pastor at North Point Ministries.