“It’s not what you said, it’s the way you said it.”
Sound familiar?
We all make mistakes and words, however well-intentioned, can sometimes come out completely wrong—and hurt those we love in the process.
Toronto Pflag (Parents, families, friends & allies of Toronto’s LGBTQ community) knows a thing or two about not knowing what to say. The charitable organization helps to create a more accepting society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families, friends, and allies. Which is why, according to NOW Toronto, they’re rolling out a new ad campaign which can be seen on station platforms, subway cars, buses, and streetcars.
The posters have statements like “Mom, I’m not a girl” and “Dad, I’m Bi” in balloon and neon lettering. Beneath them, the tagline reads, “We’ll help you handle their words with care.”
The campaign may seem straightforward, but by aiming its message at well-meaning parents and not assuming that accepting moms and dads will have all the answers, it opens up a dialogue for anyone in need of support and guidance.
Pflag has a confidential, 24-hour hotline and the campaign is tied to National Coming Out Day on October 11—a time when many young people will be heading home for Canadian Thanksgiving and may just need their brave words to be handled with some tender, loving care.
(Image credit: NOW Toronto)
I’m bisexual, so when I saw the “Dad, I’m bi” ad on my bus I got incredibly happy because that’s something you just don’t see.