Getting kicked out: surviving family rejection as an LGBTQ+ person
Practical and emotional support for LGBTQ+ people who were kicked out or cut off by family, now or in the past.
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
✓ Medically reviewed by Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Being kicked out or cut off for being LGBTQ+ is a profound loss, and it’s more common than many people realize. Whether it happened last week or twenty years ago, the impact can be lasting.
If it’s happening now
Your safety comes first. Reach out to friends, an LGBTQ+ center or local youth and shelter services. In San Francisco, organizations such as Larkin Street Youth Services and the SF LGBT Center can help connect you to housing and support. LGBTQ+ young people can contact The Trevor Project 24/7.
The lasting impact
Family rejection is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use and suicidal thoughts. Many people carry hypervigilance, trust issues or a deep fear of abandonment for years.
Healing the wound
Therapy can help you grieve, rebuild self-worth and notice how old rejection shows up in current relationships. You can also decide, on your own terms, whether any relationship with family feels possible.
You deserve support
If you’re struggling, affirming care can help. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 or reach The Trevor Project.
A gentle next step
A free 15-minute phone consult is an easy way to see if Wellthy Psychiatry feels like the right fit for you.
This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
About the author
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner · UCSF-trained · Founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
Earl provides LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming psychiatric care, blending medication management, therapy and whole-person approaches. He sees clients in San Francisco and by telehealth across California.
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