History

LOOK, formerly Parents’ Support, consists of a small group of parents who have gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered children. It started very quietly in 1980 – with 2 sets of parents, who had discovered that other parents needed to talk about and adjust to the fact of their children’s sexuality.

For some parents this can be a time of anxiety,worry,confusion,just as it might be for their children. This is why we listen and support reassure and encourage provide information – All in total confidence.

This was at a time when homosexuality was ‘hidden’ – very often children did not tell their parents until they were well into their twenties or older – It was still a criminal offence , the Roman Catholic Church still had great influence within society and consequently it was very difficult for children and parents to ‘come out’.

Parents then were mainly ‘older’ parents’. The parents, who initially started supporting other parents, did so with the help and co-operation of Gay Switchboard Dublin. Their function was and remains to reassure and encourage parents to talk about their children and themselves, to listen and provide information about the sexual orientation of their child and reactions of other parents, so that they will realise they are not alone and that their child is Just As Good.