Open Parents

We are accepting parents of LGBTQ+ people living in Germany and speaking Russian. We support each other and our children in difficult situations, and talk in the media about diversity and our families.

Website

What we do for ourselves and other parents:

• Support children and parents in the coming-out process: by phone, in writing, or in personal conversation. Often, such a conversation (peer counseling) with a mother or father who has already gone through the path of acceptance and is ready to share their experience helps in processing the first emotions.
• Accepting community: we communicate with other parents, help in finding doctors, psychologists, and other specialists, and live through the news happening in the family and the country together.
• Safe space: we created and develop a closed chat for daily communication and support.
• Professional help: we participate in the work of a psychological support group. We help new parents get individual psychological counseling.
• Knowledge: we prepare educational materials – brochures, webinars, and collect a library of informational materials developed specifically for parents of LGBTQ+ children. We learn peer counseling and more.

What we do for society:

Parents are a powerful force capable of changing society. We not only support each other but also conduct active public work:

• We give interviews in the media, advocating for the rights of our children. We take part in recording podcasts and documentaries.
• We communicate with parent groups from different countries, exchange experience and love, and participate in international projects.
• We go to Prides as proud parents to be visible. In Germany: Berlin, Braunschweig, Hamburg, Hannover, and Dusseldorf, and other countries.
• We represent the interests of parents at international and German conferences.

If you have questions, if you or your loved ones need support, write to us at eltern@quarteera.de or through this form on our website. The group can be contacted not only by parents but also by queer people, for example, to discuss coming-out issues and gain the experience of unconditional acceptance from the adult generation.