We have all heard a lot of myths about homosexuality and gender identity. Some of the these statements are things you may have heard or even believed. But myths about how homosexuality comes about continue to circulate and research shows all these statements to be false.

We absorb these myths almost without knowing it, from television and movies, from conversations with friends, from sound bites on the news, and from our own religious organizations. As we begin to deal with sexual orientation (our own or that of a family member or friend), it is important to get reliable, fact-based information.

So education begins with ourselves, and we are eager to learn. Knowing and loving our GLBT family members and friends helps us “unlearn” homophobia and strengthen our relationships with those who differ from us. Sharing our experiences with other families teaches us that we are not alone. We are eager to share what we’ve learned with others—out of pride in our LGBT loved ones, and in the hope of making the world a friendlier and safer place for them.