By AnnaStills at Envato Elements.
(For how i crafted these quotes, see What i changed in survey-takers' responses and What i didn't change.)
Adults overall
It's great if you can accept me. But if you can understand me, that's even better.
You should try to understand us. But if you don't, that's okay: you don't have to understand us to accept us or for our identities to be valid.
"I want to be heard and seen. I feel so alone as a queer youth and I wish that adults understood that we want to be 'normal' and supported just like any other teen." Work on understanding us instead of trying to change us.
Ask me questions about things you don't understand. Just be thoughtful and compassionate about it.
Supportive straight and cis adults "give me the space to talk about my experiences and feelings and they make sure my voice is heard. If I don't wanna talk at that time they give me some company and let me know that I'm not alone, which means the absolute world to me. Sometimes they even go out of their way to help make my life a little bit easier. It's not often that that happens but when it does I really appreciate it so much."
Don't tolerate us; respect us.
Parents
Your kid needs to feel safe with you so they can talk to you.
"Adults don't realize how much not supporting their kids will affect them mentally. They should love them no matter what, because love isn't conditional."
"My parents send me a rainbow package every June and refer to my future spouse as my wife."
"My dad treated my queer friends with love and respect even before I was out."
"My parents have open discussions with me about my hormones or top surgery. They don't act as if it's anything to be weird about and I greatly appreciate that."
Teachers
"My math teacher asked all students for their preferred name and pronouns at the beginning of the year (but it was both optional and in a way that would not out any students), openly supports the LGBTQ community and has a pride flag in his room, and most importantly to me he openly speaks out against and stops homophobic and transphobic talk in his classroom and calls it what it is (rather than just ignoring it or softly being like 'hey let's not be rude', he outright tells them they're being homo/transphobic and that he won't tolerate it). I honestly can't think of anything he's done wrong, except he asked for clarification on my preferred name once in a way which made It clear it wasn't my legal name, unintentionally outing me to my group mates. I wish he was more considerate with something as delicate as a chosen name is to me."
"my theatre teacher is extremely welcoming and i love her. she makes sure everyone is happy and goes out of her way for the community."
