Nathaniel is a social worker, mentor for parents of LGBTQ+ youth, and facilitator/empathy mentor. He started out in NYC as a singer/dancer/actor from the heartland (O-H-I-O) getting his BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University. After years of performance, Nathaniel turned to working with youth, as an educator and administrator at Fusion Academy. Since then he has completed his Master’s in Social Work at Fordham University and started The Proud Path, as well as worked with the Ali Forney Center and the Hetrick-Martin Institute, agencies addressing LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. His mission is to learn everything he can about the coming out process to assist others through it, and develop empathy within those who never have to.
Using the former module, What Not to Say, as a platform, this course highlights three specific themes to help you start a dialogue. As an adult, being able to guide and support an LGBTQIA child is vital. This will teach you the rules to follow when discussing sexuality and gender identity in order to make sure the child hears you authentically and without judgment.
Parents will build on the conversations they are learning to avoid by adding topics they should be discussing. This module will help parents prioritize conversations that support and encourage their child by understanding the underlying effects of the way we respond to coming out.
Coming out is a scary rite of passage for queer youth. Your child will be supported and your relationship with flourish if you follow these guidelines for how to respond.
"Nathaniel strikes the perfect balance between empathy and expertise, with his guidance demonstrating both genuine kindness and a fundamental knowledge about issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Having seen Nathaniel work with students, many of whom are questioning their gender identities, going through the coming out process, or exploring their sexualities, I’ve seen firsthand his ability to make a difference and have an inspiring effect on those around him."
Private School Administrator, Fusion Academy
"Nathaniel's effervescent compassion and heart is clear in everything he does. When applied to his Life Work, helping advance LGBT awareness, rights, and community, it is nothing short of miraculous and moving. I have learned and grown personally and professionally through knowing Nathaniel."
Liz Minot
Co-Founder, Art Cube
What we spend our time doing is what we truly honor as important.
Whatever it is that we prioritize to fill our time is something we want to do. Actions speak so much louder than words. Choosing to spend time, just 30 minutes or so, to better understand why this matters speaks volumes about the kind of family member, parent, friend, or teacher you are. There's no strings attached, just a half hour of some of the exercises I've developed in my time as a lecturer and thought leader on LGBTQ youth in the home and in the school system.
I hope you'll prove that this is very important to yourself and to others by choosing to spend some time on it today.
Thank you already for taking the time to even be here!