At Para Los Niños, these lessons are deeply relevant. “Gender identity develops very early,” Sherry explains. “Children recognize and internalize gender expectations as early as two years old. That’s why this work matters in early education, not just middle or high school.”

Research shows that children as young as 18 months begin to understand gender roles, and by age two to three, they begin forming a sense of their own gender identity. That means the language we use, the way we respond, and the examples we set in early childhood classrooms play a formative role in how children see themselves—and others.

PLN has already taken steps to ensure inclusive environments across campuses, including staff training and workshops. Sherry notes the importance of expanding those efforts: “In my fantasy,” she says, “every early ed teacher, every leader, is trained to understand gender diversity. Every classroom says—whoever you are, you belong here.”

But building affirming environments isn’t just about curriculum. It’s also about subtle, consistent signals. One of the most powerful ways adults can show they are a safe person for LGBTQ+ youth? Start with pronouns.

“Introduce yourself with your pronouns,” Sherry says. “It might feel small, but it’s a big deal.”

LGBTQ+ youth who report that all the people they live with respect their pronouns are at significantly lower risk of suicide. Normalizing pronoun-sharing isn’t just inclusive—it signals safety, especially to young people who may not yet feel comfortable sharing their truth.

She adds that for many parents, the hardest part isn’t opposition—it’s grief. “There’s often an ambiguous loss,” she explains. “You’re not losing your child, but you may be letting go of the vision you had for them. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. But it does mean you need space to process it, so it doesn’t get placed on the child.”

The process of coming out is not a one-time event, Sherry reminds us. For LGBTQ+ youth, it’s often preceded by years of quiet reflection and inner struggle—a phase she calls “coming in.” By the time a child tells their parent who they are, they may have already spent years preparing for that moment. “And then suddenly the parent is like—give me a minute,” she says. “But from the child’s perspective, it’s been a long time coming.”

Creating a bridge between those timelines—of child and parent, of fear and love—is where Sherry’s work quietly shines. She helps parents catch up without falling behind, to find common ground rooted in love.

“I always say—bring your wonderings into a separate space,” she says. “Because they’re valid. But your child needs your support first.”

In today’s political climate, that kind of support is more critical than ever. Sherry points to growing restrictions on gender-affirming care, the erosion of national suicide support systems for LGBTQ+ youth, and the broader social backlash against gender diversity. And yet—she remains hopeful.

In June 2025, the federal government announced it would strip the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline of its LGBTQ+ specialized services, cutting off tailored support for over 1.3 million LGBTQ+ youth who’ve relied on it. These changes, combined with increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, are expected to heighten mental health crises across the country.

“We can still do this work,” Sherry says. “We’re in California. We can create spaces in our schools and clinics that say: you are accepted. You are safe. You are not alone.”

***

At Para Los Niños, we remain deeply committed to ensuring children, youth, and families have the opportunity to thrive. This means providing space where our communities feel safe regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or immigration status.
 
Recent immigration enforcement actions near our schools, early education centers and clinical service offices undermine our ability to achieve this by creating an environment of fear and uncertainty for our staff, scholars and their families. In accordance with the law, all children in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have the right to a free and appropriate public education. We will continue to defend that right with all of the resources at our disposal.
 
Students deserve safety; communities deserve care. This is neither controversial nor negotiable.

Consider donating to The Para Los Ninos Staff & Family Emergency Support Fund which provides direct and immediate support to families impacted by immigration enforcement and the fear of separation. All donations will go straight to PLN families (or families of PLN Staff). Funds will be used for :