Most clinicians recognize that adult gays and lesbians are harmed by homophobia. But what about gay and lesbian children and teenagers? Few may realize that the hostility directed at gay children by peers, family, school, and church amounts to chronic cultural sexual abuse that can cause devastating and lasting trauma. This workshop will address ways to both help prevent and heal this form of child abuse, beginning with how therapists can address their own anxiety about talking with a young person about sexuality. We'll discuss how to help gay teens decide whether to come out, and, if they decide to, how to best protect themselves from bullying, shaming, and other forms of abuse. You'll learn how to help parents accept a gay child, affirm and nurture their gay child's identity, and understand how they can best prepare a son or daughter for the challenges of living in a world hostile to homosexuality.