Heather and Terry Dubrow Say Parents of LGBTQ+ Kids Should 'Keep Talking to Each Other' amid 'Challenging Times'

   

Terry Dubrow and Heather Dubrow

Heather and Terry Dubrow have advice for other parents of LGBTQ+ children amid "challenging times."

The Real Housewives of Orange County star, 55, and her husband, 66, attended the red carpet for the 6th Annual Vanderpump Dogs Gala at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on Friday, Nov. 15. The event celebrated and raised funds for the Vanderpump Dog Foundation’s efforts in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs. 

There, the couple spoke to PEOPLE about what they are grateful for this upcoming holiday season, noting how thankful they are for their four children: 20-year-old twins Maximillia "Max" Beatrix and Nicholas "Nick" Kent, daughter Katarina "Kat" Alexandra, 18, and son Ace, 13. 

“I have four healthy, great kids and our family — knock on wood — everyone seems to be in a good spot right now,” she told PEOPLE.

The Dubrows have three kids who identify as LGBTQ+ and say the Bravo show has allowed them to show their family dynamics.

"I am actually grateful for the platform that Heather has with Housewives,” Terry said, adding, "It allows us to support the LGBTQ community.” 

Terry Dubrow and Heather Dubrow

Terry Dubrow and Heather Dubrow on November 15, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Amanda Edwards/Getty
“Our family is very, very involved with it. And not a lot of platforms would necessarily allow you to support them in that way,” he continued. “So with love and support, we just feel very blessed to be part of the community.”

The couple’s eldest daughter, Max, came out as bisexual in June 2020. The following year, their younger daughter, Kat, came out as a lesbian. In March 2023, Heather shared that her youngest child had come out as transgender and goes by the name Ace. 

Heather told PEOPLE that following the 2024 elections, “these... challenging times [are] concerning for all families.” 

“I think the most important thing is to stay in our community and keep talking to each other and reaching out to friends and making sure people are good,” she said.

Terry added, “And showing what a normal family looks like, especially during the holidays.”

Dubrow Family

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(L-R) Kat, Terry, Ace, Heather, Max and Nick Dubrow. Heather Dubrow Instagram
Heather shared with PEOPLE in May that the advice she’d “give to any parent, no matter who or what their kids are or identify as, is communication.”

"I was raised in a very 1950s household and people really didn't talk about things. Things were swept under the rug and I didn't want that for my family. And so it's always been very clear communication and really the most important thing is to listen."

"Because I think as parents we want to impart our wisdom on our kids and give them advice and fix them and share our stories and all that, but they just want to be heard," she said.

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When she returned to the series after a five-year hiatus in 2021, she thought, “‘Wouldn't it be cool if I can use this platform to start conversations in other people's families?' " the Bravo star said, adding, "I think anyone with a platform that can help other families and show them what all of our normal families look like is awesome.”