Acceptance Journeys Pittsburgh
Started and run by Drs. Krier and Friedman, Acceptance Journeys (https://acceptancejourneyspgh.projectsilk.org/) is a social marketing campaign (on a website, printed cards and billboards) to share stories of love and acceptance between people who are not LGBT and their loved ones who identify as LGBT.
“We talk to young LGBT people in Pittsburgh who are experiencing stigma and discrimination from families and peers. Reducing shame and prejudice about people who are LGBT are health care and community issues. It’s why we started Acceptance Journeys,” says Dr. Friedman.
“With Acceptance Journeys, we’re trying to counter the negative health effects of stigma against people who are LGBT by showing their loved ones have accepted them,” says Dr. Krier.
Quotes from stories in the project include, “Who my son loves doesn’t change my love for him,” “I’ll let God do the judging,” and “If you love someone, labels shouldn’t matter.”
“Acceptance Journeys is a channel for the stories of real people in Pittsburgh who have LGBT loved ones,” says Dr. Friedman. “People who have come to us to share their stories are role models.”
Dr. Friedman says these people are role models because some of them have also faced stigma. “People say that they’re afraid that their friends or community will judge them because their loved one is LGBT,” he says. “We know young people who get kicked out of the house for being gay or transgender. We’re showing families who have been able to deal with LGBT kids in a beautiful and loving way. This doesn’t have to mean a broken family; there can be a path to wholeness.”
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