Parenting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Kids

When a child announces that he or she is gay, lesbian or transgender many parents are unable to respond to the news with sensitivity or support of their child. Reactions can range from throwing the child out of the house immediately to making every effort to understand what the child is going through, and everything in between, such as: "How could you do this to me? What did I do wrong?"

Our today's guest is Dr. Anne Dohrenwend, author of "Coming Around: Parenting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Kids," who will discuss how the child's "coming out" to his or her parents can be the most determinant factor in the child's moving forward successfully. Anything short of telling the child "I love you" will be heard by the gay young person that he/she doesn't really deserve love but the family members offer it anyway.

Anne Dohrenwend, PhD, ABPP, is assistant program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at McLaren Regional Medical Center, Flint, Michigan and an associate professor at Michigan State University. She works with parents and young people coping with LGBT issues. She has a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of North Dakota and is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology. Anne and her partner live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.