Correcting Misgendering | Practical Allyship Guidance for Parents of LGBTQ Teens

Correcting Misgendering | Practical Allyship Guidance for Parents of LGBTQ Teens

Author: Heather Hester | Advocate for Parents of LGBTQ Teens May 5, 2026 Duration: 6:56

Are you an overwhelmed mom of a gay, lesbian, transgender, or queer teen who's feeling lost trying to navigate the coming out process, and wants to let go of shame and embarrassment, as well as build a deeper connection of trust within yourself and your teen? Click here to learn how to work with me 1-1.

What happens in the moment when someone misgenders your child and you don’t speak up?

In this episode, Heather Hester explores one of the most common (and least talked about) experiences for parents of LGBTQ+ kids: the moment of hesitation. When a relative uses the wrong pronoun. When a teacher slips up. When you almost say something but don’t.

If you’ve ever felt your breath catch, your mind race, or your confidence disappear in those moments, you are not alone.

You’ll learn:

  • Why silence in these moments lands louder than you think
  • What your child may be reading in your hesitation
  • How repeated inaction can quietly reshape trust and connection
  • A powerful mindset shift that reframes advocacy as protection, not confrontation
  • A simple, grounded way to begin speaking up with more clarity and calm

This episode will help you move from fear and uncertainty to a deeper sense of confidence in how you show up for your child.

Listen now and take one step closer to becoming the steady, safe advocate your child needs.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

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Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.

For parents, allies, and those pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in, I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.



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Heather Hester understands the complex mix of emotions that can arise when a child comes out. Her work, including the book *Parenting with Pride*, has been a lifeline for many, and that same grounded, compassionate guidance is the heart of More Human More Kind: Guidance for Parents & Allies of LGBTQ Teens. This isn't about quick fixes or theoretical debates; it's a practical, twice-weekly conversation for anyone who wants to move from a place of uncertainty or worry toward genuine understanding and active support. You'll hear from Heather directly, as she shares insights and strategies drawn from both personal experience and her extensive work with families. The discussions in this podcast are designed to meet you where you are, whether you're navigating new pronouns, fostering resilience in your teen, or learning how to advocate effectively in your wider community. Episodes tackle real-world questions, from family dynamics and mental health to building inclusive spaces, always with an emphasis on connection over correction. Tuning in feels like getting thoughtful advice from a trusted friend who knows the path can be challenging but is always hopeful. The goal is to help you replace fear with clarity and confusion with confident love, ultimately strengthening your relationship with your child. If you're seeking a resource that honors your journey while providing actionable steps forward, this podcast offers a steady, kind-hearted companion for the road ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

More Human More Kind: Allyship Guidance for Parents of LGBTQ Teens
Podcast Episodes
Breaking the Silence: How Parents Can Support LGBTQ Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Join me on Substack for more tools to stay human in a complicated world. What happens when someone misgenders your child and you freeze?In this Friday Reset: The Butterfly Effect episode, Heather Hester gently explores t…
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Join me on Substack for more tools to stay human in a complicated world.Have you ever handled a difficult conversation well and still couldn’t shake the feeling afterward?In this Friday Reset episode of More Human. More…
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Duration: 8:17
Join me on Substack for more tools to stay human in a complicated world. What if one small shift in how you respond to your child could change how safe they feel with you?After this week’s conversation about fear and how…
"My Kid Thinks They're Gay!" What This Moment Asks From Parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:47
Join me on SubstackWhat do you say in the moment your child tells you, “I think I’m gay, bi, or trans”… when everything inside you reacts?As a parent, you want to get it right; but when your child opens up about their id…
"Mom, I think I'm Gay" - Parents, This Moment is an Opportunity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:52
Join Me on SubstackWhat if the moment your child comes out to you isn’t something to fear, but something sacred?When your child says, “I think I’m gay,” bi, or trans, it can trigger fear, confusion, and urgency to respon…
Parents, This Is How Grief Evolves Instead of Disappearing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:16
Join Me on SubstackWhat if the goal isn’t to “move on” from grief, but to carry it differently?Many of us feel pressure to be “over it” by now, to fix our pain, or to move forward faster. But grief doesn’t work that way.…