A common struggle faced by LGBTQ+ teenagers and children is coming out to their parents. Gaining a parent’s approval can be nerve-wracking and even divisive as parents struggle with accepting their kid’s gender identity.
“You are loved” is something that many members of the LGBTQ+ community want to hear from their parents, but more often than not, it takes time. Parents are rarely able to come to terms with their kid’s identity in an instant.
In this video, we feature the Vega family: parents Joseph and Sheilee, and their child, Joepete.
Joepete is a 17-year-old member of the LGBTQ+ community. In his spare time, he enjoys honing his makeup skills.
The journey of Joepete’s family shows that respect and acceptance require hard work, communication, and openness. Rappler hopes that their story inspires some members of the rainbow community to start their own journeys with their families. – Rappler.com
This video was co-produced by Rappler interns Bea Pangandian, Billie Asuncion, Alec Templonuevo, and Joven Jacolbia.
