Reasons to mentor a queer or trans young person specifically

This can be even more powerful than mentoring a straight, cis young person.

Tweens or teens who are queer or trans may have additional vulnerabilities regarding relationships with adults since their desire to connect with adults who support them may leave them open to victimization. Being an adult role model with appropriate boundaries can be a protective factor for mentees, who may feel less need to seek out additional support from other adults — adults who may approach them with fewer scruples and less respect.

And those queer and trans children and youth who live in rural areas may have an especially deep need here, since they may not have access to the large, vibrant LGBTQA+/SGL communities of those who live in metropolitan areas.

Queer and trans tweens and teens who are multiply marginalized (are of color, non-Christian, disabled, immigrants…) may also have a deep need for mentors who reflect their lived experience; a straight-acting, gay, white, Republican man can only go so far in mentoring a trans tween girl who's also Black and an immigrant.

Resources especially for those running mentoring programs:

• Becoming an inclusive and affirming mentoring program is more than hanging safe zone posters and using personal pronouns.
• Ensuring Access to Mentoring Programs for LGBTQ Youth
• LGBTQ Supplement to the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™