LGBTQ+ Lorain County is proud to partner with Colors+ Youth Center to offer a new series, Parent Connection, designed to be a social connection and support group for parents and caretakers of LGBTQ+ and gender diverse youth. The group will provide the opportunity for parents and caretakers to connect with others in a similar situation, share stories, struggles, and successes of raising LGBTQ+ and gender diverse children, learn from each other, expand your general knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community, and find and grow a support network for parents and for gender diverse kids as well. The group will be facilitated by a professional counselor from Colors+ who specializes in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones.

The first Parent Connection meeting will take place on Thursday, September 1 from 6:30-7:30pm at the North Ridgeville Library.

We are also pleased to be partnering with the Lorain Public Library System who will have a corresponding activity scheduled simultaneously with the Parent Connection group. This will provide the opportunity for LGBTQ+/gender diverse kids to meet each other and do a fun activity. Parents are welcome to leave children ages 8+ with library staff and a Colors+ volunteer to take part in the activity while they attend the Parent Connection group, if desired. Children younger than age 8 are welcome to participate in the activity but cannot be left unattended. It is recommended that children do not attend the Parent Connection meeting itself to provide the chance for more open dialogue among parents and caregivers.

For this meeting, the kids activity will include a book talk for two books with back-to-school / Fall season vibes: Beetle & the Hollowbones (graphic novel by Aliza Layne) and Too Bright to See (chapter book by Kyle Lukoff). After the book talk, library staff will facilitate an activity where kids will screen print a tote bag with quotes/images from the books.

There is no charge to attend the Parent Connection group or for children to participate in the corresponding library youth activity. Registration is also not required.

If you have any questions regarding the Parent Connection group, please reach out to Megan Baechle (she/her), Executive Director, at director@lgbtqloraincounty.org or (440) 574-0393.