Dear Queer Kid: A Powerful Message of Love and Acceptance for LGBTQ+ Young People
letters from rad queer & trans grown ups to rad queer & trans kids!
Dear Queer Kid letters connect rad queer grown ups to rad queer kids through heartfelt letters. These letters expand intergenerational relationships in our queer and trans communities and engage young children and their families in movement work. Our target audience is children 3-8, although the authentic, loving, expansive themes of Dear Queer Kid speak to audiences across ages.
Each Dear Queer Kid letter features the voice, perspective, and message of a different queer and trans leader, connecting children to the direct experiences of thriving queer adults and offering wisdom for people of all ages. Our collaborators include artists, authors, educators, healers, organizers, and anybody who has important messages to share with queer kids. We have commissioned 15 letters released over the last two years to be used in classrooms, homes, and other settings that engage young children.
Read Lindz’s Dear Queer Kid letter below! You can access all of our DQK letters (and the DQK podcast featuring audio versions of the letters read by their authors!) by becoming A Friend of Teddy’s on the QKS Patreon.
Hey there, Queer Kid!
It’s your friendly neighborhood, Lindz! But you probably know me as Teddy’s best friend from Queer Kid Stuff. I created that series just for you. I hope you like watching it because I loved making it for you with my friends. I make queer stuff for kids just like you because that’s what I wished I’d had when I was your age.
When I was your age, I didn’t know how to be myself. I got confused between the clothes and toys and things that made me happy and the clothes and toys and things that other people told me should make me happy. I didn’t have the right words to tell the grown ups in my life who I am. That has been really hard for me. All I knew was that I hated being called a boy, but being called a girl wasn’t quite right either. It took me a long time to realize that I am actually sort of in between boy and girl. Maybe it’s been hard for you too.
If I could give you a giant hug through this letter, that’s what I’d be doing right now. So do me a favor and take a second to wrap your arms around your shoulders and give yourself a good squeeze for me, okay? Maybe take a nice deep breath too while you’re at it. Hopefully you can feel just a little bit of the love I’m sending your way. I want you to know that you are loved. I want you to know that your difference is what makes you beautiful. I want you to know that even when things are hard or confusing, you are never alone. I want you to know that I will always fight for you and for me and for our incredible community. And I want to remind you to love yourself!
Remember to smile and laugh with the people you love! Remember to twirl when you’re wearing your favorite dress! Remember to jump or skip or leap down the street when you feel like it! Remember to do the things that bring you J O Y! Even though things were tough for me when I was your age, I’ve learned to love myself for exactly who I am and I’ve learned to follow my queer joy. I love my work, I love my dog, I love my wife, I love my community, I love my home, I love my friends, I love my family, I love my life, I love myself, and I love you!
Queer joy is more than possible, it’s all around us all the time, every day of our entire lives! All you’ve got to do is find out what it means to you. I’ll do my best to help you along the way. See you next time!