“I Am Trying to Raise a Better Human”: Parenting Amid Uncertainty Among Queer Parents

ABSTRACT Objective To examine how queer parents assigned female at birth (AFAB) navigate early parenting amid a sociopolitical climate characterized by uncertainty. Background Recent U.S. policy shifts affecting LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive autonomy have created heightened uncertainty for marginalized families. Method Using qualitative content analysis of survey responses from 97 U.S.‐based parents, we explored (a) socio‐politically focused concerns queer AFAB parents hold for their children and (b) how these events shape parenting practices (e.g., expressing values, preparing children for bias, and navigating identities). Results Parents described concerns connected to three themes: bias and infringement on rights (e.g., bodily autonomy, identity‐based discrimination); uncertainty about the future (e.g., general, climate, and economic precarity); and safety and protection (e.g., physical safety). They responded with practices such as fostering acceptance and equality (e.g., exposure to diverse perspectives, teaching kindness, and cultivating emotional well‐being) and prioritizing safety (e.g., shielding children, teaching safety, and vigilance in public spaces). Parenting involved anticipatory stress and heightened vigilance, particularly for parents raising girls or children who may identify as LGBTQ+. Variation by geography, social class, and gender identity highlighted how proximity to harm shaped protective and activist strategies. Conclusion For queer AFAB parents, parenting functioned as both response to and resistance against systemic threats. Implications or Recommendations Therapists and policymakers should recognize marginalized parents' emotional labor and address structural inequities shaping parenting.