Interpersonal discourses between parent and LGBTQ child

Abstract

In this article, we explore communication between parents and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) children. We conducted a contrapuntal analysis of interpersonal discourses identified in individual transcripts of parent and LGBTQ child interviews. The interviews focused on the relational process occurring before, during, and after the child’s disclosure of an LGBTQ identity. We discovered three pairs of competing discourses: the child’s concern of acceptance versus authenticity, the parent’s concern of expectations versus support, and the parent-child shared relational concern of contentment versus improvement. This article concludes with practice implications for counseling professionals to consider.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ
• parent
• child
• relationships
• contrapuntal analysis

Acknowledgment

Authors acknowledge Farren Barnett, BSW, Hunter Fischer, BSW, Elizabeth Holman, BSW.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.