Parents reveal gay-kid worries

Public discrimination is the biggest worry of parents of LGBTQ kids, a survey has found.

The Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong, in the poll of 146 parents of kids who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, also found that close to half of the parents became more accepting of their children's sexuality compared to the first time their kids came out.

In the study collaborated with Chinese University of Hong Kong's Sexualities Research Programme between January 2018 and last June, they collected responses from 146 parents whose children were identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or others in an online poll.

About 82.1 percent said they would like their kids to inform them of their sexual orientation.

However, nearly half, 45.1 percent, said they were unable to accept the truth initially upon hearing their children's revelations.

One third expressed a medium to high degree of worry about their children's sexual preferences.

"The study shows that parents are mostly concerned about their kids facing discrimination in their daily life due to their sexual orientation," said Suen Yiu-tung, assistant professor of gender studies at the Chinese University.

"If we want families and LGBTQ kids to feel better, what should be changed is not a person's sexual orientation but instead public policies and legislation should be changed to ensure that their kids would be treated fairly, so parents will not be so worried," Suen added.

The association urged the government to step up promotions of public awareness on acceptance of different sexual orientations and gender identity.

Half of the parents changed their attitudes over time, with 49.6 percent expressing more acceptance of their children's sexual orientation compared to the initial revelation.

Lau, a father whose son came out as gay about eight years ago, said it took him half a year to accept his son's sexual orientation after joining social activities to interact with other parents with LGBTQ kids.

Suen said taking part in LGBTQ+ conferences, workshops or consulting social services such as the association's Project Touch scheme helps to change parents' attitudes.

The association also collected 551 responses from LGBTQ young adults aged between 18 to 35. The study found that the more positive the parents' attitude is toward their children's sexual orientation, the higher is their life satisfaction level.