I Would Pick You (Queer Advocacy) - Rachel Pinto-Martin

'''Our job as parents is not to make other people comfortable with how we raise our kids, Our job is to make sure our kids grow up in a family where they’re comfortable being exactly who they are.'' Shelly Robinson

Our episode this week is with Rachel Pinto-Martin, founder of Self Love, Healthy Boundaries Coaching, mom of two, former Mormon and fierce Queer ally and advocate.

On this episode, we talk with Rachel about what it means to have self-love along with healthy boundaries and help our kids to do the same. We also dive deep into advocacy on this front for the Queer community.

We chat through these questions:

1.  Many of us have grown up in high control religious environments that doesn’t allow for a lot of individuality. How can we begin to foster a sense of being worthy of love when our faith or upbringing told us otherwise?

2.  What does it look like to deconstruct faith in a way that allows space for self-love and acceptance, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community?

3.  What are some practical ways parents can create an environment where their children feel safe in their own identity and accepted for who they are, especially if the parents are still deconstructing their own beliefs around sexuality and gender identity.

4. How can parents help their children navigate the complexities of faith and identity, especially if they are trying to reconcile their own religious background

5. What advice do you have for parents who are struggling to reconcile their faith with supporting their queer child?

6.  How might we respond to members of the faith community or our family who may hold traditional or conservative views about LGBTQ+ issues?

7. For families who feel isolated in their religious communities because of their child’s identity, what would you say to them?

We found Rachel passionate and our conversation was spicy in all the best ways. We were fired up about the harm done to the Queer community by high-control religion and spoke about the best ways we can continue to change the narrative surrounding full affirmation and inclusion.

You can find Rachel here:

Website: selflovehealthyboundaries.com

Instagram: @selflovehealthyboundaries and @thankyouforranting