LGBTQ+ youth and the importance of sibling support
USA Today • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Chazzie Grosshandler, who came out as transgender at age 9, credits her older brother Lev's unwavering support as a major blessing, highlighting the importance of sibling acceptance for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Research indicates that family acceptance, including sibling support, significantly improves self-esteem, social support, and overall health for LGBTQ+ young adults.
- Lev emphasizes focusing on shared interests and character rather than gender identity to foster natural allyship among siblings and peers.
- Inspired by their experience, Chazzie's family founded The GenderCool project, a nonprofit aimed at uplifting trans and nonbinary youth by sharing positive stories to combat stigma and rejection.
- With the number of young Americans identifying as LGBTQ+ rising to nearly 10% in 2024, Chazzie encourages those still seeking support to remain hopeful and authentic, reminding them they are not alone.
