#169 | Three (3) Ways Perfectionism Derails the Practice of LGBTQ Allyship & How Parents Can Show Up With Courage

Pride Month Series | More Human. More Kind. with Heather Hester

Are you worried about saying the wrong thing to your LGBTQ child or holding back your support until you “get it right”?

In this deeply honest episode, Heather Hester explores one of the biggest blocks parents and allies face: perfectionism. She shares her own journey of fumbling, learning, and ultimately showing up imperfectly but wholeheartedly for her LGBTQ kids. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the fear of messing up, this episode offers both comfort and guidance.

• Discover why perfectionism is a barrier to true allyship and how to release it
• Learn how modeling vulnerability can build trust and healing with your child
• Gain clarity on the meaning and evolution of the LGBTQ+ acronym and why it matters

Hit play now to hear how letting go of “getting it right” can lead to deeper connection, stronger allyship, and a more courageous version of yourself.

Plus: a listener “Queer-y” on the evolution of LGBTQ+ terminology, and why the order of the letters actually matters.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Let go of the need to be perfect. You’ll never know everything, and that’s okay.
2. Allyship is a practice. Keep showing up, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
3. Model repair and growth. Your child learns how to be human by watching you be human.

The Kind Space

It’s where the More Human. More Kind. podcast comes to life and where we breathe deeper into what it means to show up for one another, especially our LGBTQ+ loved ones.

Inside The Kind Space, you'll find:

🌀 Private podcast episodes

🌿 Bonus content, reflections, and guided practices

💬 LIVE monthly calls to answer your questions

💛 A safe, welcoming community of thoughtful, brave humans - just like you

This is the month to lean in. To stand up. To love out loud.

And to remember: You don’t have to do it alone.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health, safety, and a human first approach, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.

If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.