Jeff -- can we add a new forum for parents of LGBTQIA+

[Anonymous]

These questions don't belong in the Special Needs section, and when they are asked in the general teens/tweens section, there is always so much trans hate to wade through.

I don't want to debate my son's right to exist every time I have a question about something.

Plus it is hard to search out subjects. It was so much easier if it were all in one place.

Pretty please.

[Anonymous]

Oh I would love this so so so much. It was so wonderful in that trans kid thread to see a few comments in a row that weren’t transphobic and actually helpful. That hardly ever happens.

[Anonymous]

What is the IA part of LGBTQIA+?

[Anonymous]

If you have checked out the LGBTQ Issues section of this forum, you will see that it is also full of anti-trans (for the most part not LGB posters) posts. OP, there are some good closed or private facebook groups for parents of trans kids, that might be a better option for you. Good luck finding your people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the IA part of LGBTQIA+?

Intersex and Asexual

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the IA part of LGBTQIA+?

Intersex and Asexual

Is LGBTQIA+ going to be the new acronym from now on? If so, what is the point of the "+" if initials are just being added to the name?

Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the IA part of LGBTQIA+?

Intersex and Asexual

Is LGBTQIA+ going to be the new acronym from now on? If so, what is the point of the "+" if initials are just being added to the name?

Serious question.

The plus makes it all inclusive. You can say LGBT, LBGTQ, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIA+. The I and A are small communities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the IA part of LGBTQIA+?

Intersex and Asexual

Is LGBTQIA+ going to be the new acronym from now on? If so, what is the point of the "+" if initials are just being added to the name?

Serious question.

The plus makes it all inclusive. You can say LGBT, LBGTQ, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIA+. The I and A are small communities.

NP here. I always wondered why not just make it LGBT+ since that is as inclusive as LGBTQIA+ and is shorter and easier to remember for many, especially those who are only tangential or not in the community. I think the shorter acronym makes it more accessible and makes CIS-normal more open. When you make it more complicated, more people are going to tune you out.

[Anonymous]

These types of topics should be posted in the LGBTQ Relationship forum. That is the closest to on-topic for the posts.

And this post should be in the Website Feedback forum. I'll report it to Jeff to be moved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These types of topics should be posted in the LGBTQ Relationship forum. That is the closest to on-topic for the posts..

No. They are not relationship questions and don't belong in the LGBTQ relationship forum any more than questions about straight kids belong in the relationship forum.

Anonymous wrote:And this post should be in the Website Feedback forum. I'll report it to Jeff to be moved.

Thank you, I did not know about that.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:These questions don't belong in the Special Needs section, and when they are asked in the general teens/tweens section, there is always so much trans hate to wade through.

I don't want to debate my son's right to exist every time I have a question about something.

Plus it is hard to search out subjects. It was so much easier if it were all in one place.

Pretty please.

We used to have a forum for Gay and Lesbian Parents (the name gives a clue about how long ago that was). That is obviously different from Parents of LGBTQIA+ kids, but I think the issue is the same. The problem was that the forum didn't have much traffic. The forum was combined with some others to create the Parenting - Special Concerns forum (which may have been what you meant rather than special needs). Currently, that is the best forum for this topic. When I set up the LGBTQ Relationship Discussion forum, I assumed that it would also be low traffic -- which it is. Therefore, I purposely gave it an expansive description which says, "The forum can also be used for discussion of any LGBTQ issues beyond relationships." So, strictly speaking, you could also post there. However, as other posters have pointed out, a separate forum does not protect you from the haters. It could even be argued that it makes things worse because the haters go there looking for you.

At the moment, I think we have too many forums and I am reluctant to create more. I am open for suggestions involving name or description changes that could make things more helpful however.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These questions don't belong in the Special Needs section, and when they are asked in the general teens/tweens section, there is always so much trans hate to wade through.

I don't want to debate my son's right to exist every time I have a question about something.

Plus it is hard to search out subjects. It was so much easier if it were all in one place.

Pretty please.

We used to have a forum for Gay and Lesbian Parents (the name gives a clue about how long ago that was). That is obviously different from Parents of LGBTQIA+ kids, but I think the issue is the same. The problem was that the forum didn't have much traffic. The forum was combined with some others to create the Parenting - Special Concerns forum (which may have been what you meant rather than special needs). Currently, that is the best forum for this topic. When I set up the LGBTQ Relationship Discussion forum, I assumed that it would also be low traffic -- which it is. Therefore, I purposely gave it an expansive description which says, "The forum can also be used for discussion of any LGBTQ issues beyond relationships." So, strictly speaking, you could also post there. However, as other posters have pointed out, a separate forum does not protect you from the haters. It could even be argued that it makes things worse because the haters go there looking for you.

At the moment, I think we have too many forums and I am reluctant to create more. I am open for suggestions involving name or description changes that could make things more helpful however.

OP here. That makes sense. Could we maybe tack on some language to the LGBTQ forum title that would reflect it is for parents of said children as well?

[Anonymous]

What about renaming & rebranding the LGBTQ relationships forum similar to what happened for 50 and over?

"Midlife Concerns and Eldercare
Previously, the Fifty and Over Forum. Discussion by and about the older and wiser crowd including issues faced by those aging and and caring for those who are aging."

LGBTQIA+ Issues and Relationships
Previously, the LGBTQ Relationships and Discussion forum. Discussion by and about people in the LGBTQIA+ communities, including issues faced by those in the community and caring for those in the community.

And then, or course, two locked threads - the notice about no trolling/hate, and a second one with a good set of resource links for various topics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about renaming & rebranding the LGBTQ relationships forum similar to what happened for 50 and over?

"Midlife Concerns and Eldercare
Previously, the Fifty and Over Forum. Discussion by and about the older and wiser crowd including issues faced by those aging and and caring for those who are aging."

LGBTQIA+ Issues, Children and Relationships
Previously, the LGBTQ Relationships and Discussion forum. Discussion by and about people in the LGBTQIA+ communities, including issues faced by those in the community and caring for those in the community.

And then, or course, two locked threads - the notice about no trolling/hate, and a second one with a good set of resource links for various topics.

This makes sense. Or LGBTQIA+ Special Concerns and Parenting

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:What about renaming & rebranding the LGBTQ relationships forum similar to what happened for 50 and over?

"Midlife Concerns and Eldercare
Previously, the Fifty and Over Forum. Discussion by and about the older and wiser crowd including issues faced by those aging and and caring for those who are aging."

LGBTQIA+ Issues and Relationships
Previously, the LGBTQ Relationships and Discussion forum. Discussion by and about people in the LGBTQIA+ communities, including issues faced by those in the community and caring for those in the community.

And then, or course, two locked threads - the notice about no trolling/hate, and a second one with a good set of resource links for various topics.

This makes sense to me. Let's hear what others have to say.