The Women’s Initiatives Support Group (WISG) has been working on queer issues in Georgia for over two decades. The organization’s efforts in strategic advocacy, community empowerment, and the creation of knowledge on gender and sexuality are guided by a deep understanding of the multifaceted and evolving nature of homo/bi/transphobia. This complexity is further demonstrat- ed through research and analysis of the experiences and needs of the local queer community, as well as shifts in public attitudes within the country.

The majority of society continues to believe that homo/bi/transphobia solely affects members of the LGBTQI community, without recognizing its broader impact on their social environments and relationships at the micro-social level. In reality, however, the damage caused by negative public attitudes is far-reaching, often penetrating even the most intimate spaces, such as the relationship between parent and child.

In a patriarchal society, moral responsibility often falls on the families and parents of queer individuals, since the upbringing they provided is perceived as “wrong.” Some parents internalize these societal attitudes, endlessly searching for answers to the question, “Where did we go wrong?” Those who openly support their children may also become victims of bullying, exclusion, or violence from society.

In response to the ongoing challenges, the organization has been creating a safe space for LGBTQ parents for over a decade. This mutually supportive environment serves not only as a platform for the exchange of experiences, knowledge, information, and emotions but also empowers parents to become pillars of support for both their children and one another.

Given the current climate of political homophobia, expanding spaces of mutual care and solidarity has become especially crucial. The voices of queer parents carry exceptional power and responsibility, which is why we have chosen to share their experiences with a broader community through this study.

We would like to express our gratitude to the researcher, Giga Karapetyan, for approaching this issue with exceptional professional ethics and for capturing the unique experiences of queer parents.

We believe that this study has transformative potential and will be of interest not only to researchers and institutions working on social change but also to the wider community.

Transformed Parenthood - Voices of parents of queer persons: collective sorrow and power