Olympic Parent Lisa Thompson Offers Vital Insights for Families of LGBTQIA+ Athletes

Lisa Thompson, the mother of Olympic champion Ryan Thompson, shares invaluable advice for parents of LGBTQIA+ athletes. Witnessing her son achieve greatness as an Olympic medalist is a source of immense pride for her; however, witnessing Ryan become the first openly gay athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympics in 2018 is a moment that truly stands out.

In her essay for Parents, Lisa reflects on the challenges she faced as Ryan pursued his dreams in competitive sports. “Before he even began training competitively, I worried about how he would navigate the world,” she writes. “Parents of LGBTQIA+ kids often have unique concerns, especially as their children approach the moment of revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Ryan, a distinguished figure skater, publicly came out in 2015, a decision that Lisa initially viewed as a significant risk. “I feared that his dreams and professional ambitions would be compromised after coming out in such a public manner,” she explains. “For over a decade, I believed my primary role was to create the best opportunities for him to achieve his Olympic aspirations.”

However, Ryan’s courage taught Lisa that neither of them could truly pursue their goals unless he felt authentic and comfortable in his identity. Just two years later, Ryan achieved his Olympic dream and earned a medal, marking the beginning of his most important journey: embracing his voice and living authentically. “As a parent, there’s no prouder moment than witnessing your child’s self-acceptance,” she adds.

Now, Lisa is sharing the wisdom gained from her son’s bravery to support other LGBTQIA+ children in sports. “The greatest gift you can give your LGBTQIA+ child is the space to narrate their own story,” she advises. “It’s perfectly natural to have fears, as the world can be unkind to queer individuals.”

She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that coming out is a personal journey and encourages parents to respect their child’s individual timeline while safeguarding their privacy throughout the process. “One thing is clear: every child deserves to feel unconditionally accepted by their parents,” she states.

Lisa warns against advising LGBTQIA+ children to conform or act differently for wider acceptance, as this can imply they are not enough as they are.

Even after Ryan’s retirement from competitive figure skating, both he and Lisa continue to thrive. Ryan has become a champion on Dancing With the Stars, a successful author, and a fashion influencer, while Lisa has also established herself as a published author and an advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth.

For more insights on parenting and support for LGBTQIA+ youth, you can check out this relevant post on home insemination. If you’re considering starting a family, Make A Mom provides excellent resources. For additional information on the process, you can also refer to this Wikipedia entry on artificial insemination.

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In summary, Lisa Thompson’s insights underscore the significance of acceptance and understanding in supporting LGBTQIA+ athletes. Her journey as a mother highlights the essential role parents play in fostering an environment where their children can thrive both in sports and in life.

Keyphrase: Tips for Parents of LGBTQIA+ Athletes

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