Picture this: You’re snuggled up on the couch with your child, enjoying a cosy movie night. On-screen, a joyful wedding scene unfolds, but this time, it’s two women saying “I do.” Your child turns to you, curiosity shining in their eyes, and asks, “Can two girls get married?”

In that moment, your answer becomes more than just a response — it becomes an opportunity. A chance to show love, imbibe understanding, and help your child grow up in a world that celebrates all kinds of families and identities. It can open a door to a world where your child feels seen, safe, and free.

Talking to your child about the LGBTQIA community can feel daunting, especially if you didn’t grow up with those conversations yourself. But according to Gajalakshmi, a Chennai-based Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)-registered Clinical Psychologist and trauma-informed therapist, these talks are not just helpful. They’re essential.

“Silence isn’t neutral,” she says gently. “In a child’s heart, silence can be loud.”

It’s that silence, she explains, that can make a child feel like certain topics are shameful or forbidden. And that’s why it matters so deeply that the conversations start not when a child brings it up, but long before.

Why talking early matters

Children today live in a world bursting with information: from cartoons and schoolyards to YouTube and memes. “The question is, do you want them to learn it from the world, or you, someone who loves them deeply and unconditionally?” asks Gajalakshmi.

These conversations don’t require perfect knowledge or eloquence. They just require presence, curiosity, and kindness.

Think of your child’s mind as a garden, she says. Every day, seeds are being planted by school, social media, friends, or even casual comments. “And if we don’t plant seeds of understanding and love, guess what grows instead? Weeds. Weeds like: ‘That’s wrong.’ ‘That’s not natural.’ ‘That’s not allowed.’”

Instead, she encourages parents to utilise everyday moments, like a movie scene or a casual question, to plant something different. Something gentle and affirming. “Some people love someone of the same gender,” you might say. “That’s just as real and beautiful as any other love.”

Every day moments that invite conversation

You don’t need to schedule a formal sit-down. Some of the best

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