Website Raises Funds, Launches Online Resource for Parents of LGBT Youth

An organization is raising funds for an online resource for parents of LGBT youth.

Everyone is Gay, a website that gives advice to young people on areas like dating and coming out, is expanding its audience to include parents.

The company has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for The Parents Project, which will feature a video series of parent-child coming out stories, as well as tips from Everyone is Gay co-founders, Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid. The goal, says Russo, is to provide a much-needed resource that is currently being overlooked.

"In our work with LGBTQ youth, we realized that many were struggling with talking to their parents, specifically," says Russo. "We scoured the Internet looking for parent-specific resources and, apart from PFLAG, we found next to nothing. We were shocked. In response, we are working to create a first-of-its-kind digital presence for parents of LGBTQ kids that will include videos, advice, and resources."

In addition to their online advocacy, Russo and Owens-Reid also tour the country to provide resources at middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Owens-Reid, who won a NewNowNext Award for her project Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber, incorporates comedy into Everyone is Gay's real-life and online lessons.