G&STC Director Talks with Brittany Wong at HuffPost about Celebrating 'Chosen Moms' on Mother’s Day
Check out Director Jesse Kahn talking with Brittany Wong at HuffPost about how LGBTQ people use traditional holidays to celebrate chosen families.
“Chosen families are basically relationships that we intentionally choose, build and nurture that provide love, nurturing, and familial support regardless of legal or biological relations,” said Jesse Kahn, a therapist and director of the Gender & Sexuality Therapy Center in New York City.
hese types of bonds ― usually created among people with shared values and experiences― are especially common in the LGBTQ+ community. Chosen family, especially chosen moms, can be a respite and safe haven from the judgment someone may receive from their own family when they come out.
“Chosen families are particularly important in communities where we can experience isolation and familial rejection,” Kahn said. “They can provide LGBTQ+ people and communities with the love, support, nurturing and closeness they are needing and lacking.”