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Family matters
I love my gay son campaign
The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has launched a campaign targeting homophobia in families.
The Family Matters campaign is aimed primarily at mothers and aims to highlight how homophobia can harm the whole family.
When a child is excluded from the family or exposed to anti-gay hostility they’re more likely to experience depression, self-harm or attempt suicide. Homophobia can also lead to low self-esteem, which can influence sexual risk-taking and the likelihood of acquiring HIV.
The campaign is specifically targeting mothers as they often act as a catalyst for change within a family. Mums might also be able to build bridges between gay children and other family members struggling to accept the situation.
‘Having a son or daughter come out as gay can be shocking or worrying, but there is support out there,’ said Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at the THT ‘By helping families cope, talk and avoid friction we hope to reduce the physical; and mental damage that can be caused by estrangement. Keeping the family together is what matters.’
