* Bring up to be heterosexual.

* Bring up to be homophobic.

* No support at time when most need it, i.e. adolescence, coming out.

* Rejection - thrown out of home, not talk about it, forced to leave home early.

* Refusal of love and support.

* No understanding - ignorant; not willing to acquire understanding or information or support e.g. from parents' groups.

* Insist on it being kept a secret.

* No help in combatting discrimination.

* Pressure to conform to heterosexuality (even when know child is homosexual!)

* Pressure to conform to sex role stereotypes.

* Distancing - no meaningful communication.

* No financial support, e.g. when heterosexual child marries.

* Expected to attend family gatherings on own - Christmas, weddings, funerals.

* When die often family come and throw partner out; take belongings.

© J. Bridget/Lesbian Information Service, 1996