How Can the Gay Community Reach Out to this Generation's Teens?

Question

Arguably the most difficult time for Gay men/women is their teenage years because most often, that is whne they come out to friends/family, etc.

I want your ideas on two very important questions?

1) How can we make coming out a less dramatic experience for gay teens.

2) What can be done to aide gay youth that are kicked out from their churches, families, and homes for their sexuality?

For the record...I am a gay youth myself and I don't appreciate the notion that by helping gay youth I mean sexually abusing them.

Seriously people.

Answer 1

I think these kids are going to have to organize themselves. John Q. Public is not going to sit well with gay men helping gay teens (women helping girls does seem less threatening to the population). I agree with you - something needs to be done, but I think the success will lie in them doing it themselves. Putting together a web site or something so that they can reach out to one another. Adults helping kids be comfortable being gay is just frought with problems - even if that adult is a therapist (if the parent doesn't like it, it's big trouble).

I think the best way to lessen the drama of coming out is happening now. Raised awareness and a young population interested and understanding Unity and accepting differences. We are on the right path and each year we get closer to a tolerance (or even indifference) that will lessen the pressure.

I think that any kid that is kicked out of their home or community for any reason is a tragedy and we, as a society, should help in some way to take care of those kids - or at least help them get a reasonable start in life.

Frankly, couched in those terms you could be talking about a gay teen, pregnant teen, battered teen - and society seems to get on board more with some of these other population segments. Maybe playing down the gay side (not erasing it, but not emphasizing it) will allow you to help all these kids and ensure safety for those you have in mind.

Peace!

Answer 2

I honestly don't know what to do. I am a bi teen, and I wish there was more support out there. I think the thing I, and my friends that are gay, need to hear is how being gay is not wrong, and all that. We get preached to all the time how we're going to hell, and that's not very encouraging. I think to make it a little less dramatic, some stories would be nice. Some encouraging ones, not some from people who don't know what they're talking about. And for gay teens who are kicked out, make a "shelter" for them, so they can go and be themselves and also be taken care of. These are just some of my suggestions....

Answer 3

That's a tough one...

it seems it has become much easier in the past decade or so to come out ("easier" being a relative term of course, since at one point it was a death sentence, then it was frowned upon with random murders, then talked about in hushed tones with beatings and murders, then widely accepted... with random beatings and murders).

I don't know how a youth support group would go over, what with the pedophile stereotypes...

I'm stumped! Queer as Folk ended, Brian is GONE!


NOW WHAT?!?!?

Answer 4

It's not that hard being a gay teen. I was a teen in the 80s, and it wasnt that hard then. Don't worry about it. I think the media whips everyone up into a frenzy over the issue.

Love, Jack.

Answer 5

I think that the Lambda Legal Defense Fund has done an exemplary job of reaching out to our youth. Their outstanding legal teams have advocated on the behalf of GLBT youth, and they've been very proactive in organizing gay-straight student alliances, awareness events & educational campaigns all across the country.

Answer 6

Teens now days don't seem to have a problem coming out with anything. I have no idea how you can help or even if you should,maybe better to allow families to take care of their own business.

Answer 7

Encourage celibacy, interest in art, mathematics, sciences, Wu Shu martial, Raja Yoga, reading, walking, stretching, engineering, etymology, etiquette, Plato, serious music, world history, world geography, geology, cobbler craft, Greek classics, swimming, speaking from the diaphragm, enunciation, logic, agape love, varied world cultures and customs, American history, et al.

Recommended reading: The Symposium by Plato. The Liberal Arts Press, Inc. 2nd revised edition, ©1956 if it is available.

Answer 8

I think that the more of us who are gay, out, and living a respectable life are here to be role models, the easier it will be for them.

As for those who have been send out from their homes, I think we need to support ministries and charities that responsibly deal with these young people with our dollars and our volunteer time, so that the young people do NOT fall prey to the creeps that troll for innocents!

Answer 9

Since it is against most churches' beliefs, and it is so dangerous to come out. I think it was a lot safer for people, especially younger ones to stay in the closet all their life. So I suggest that your question and attempt at contact be out of the question. Therefore kids will still have their families, and be able to lead a quiet life and be able to concentrate on their studies.

I think when elders (like you are doing) reach out to the younger people in this situation they are merely looking for children to abuse. But hey, that's just "my" opinion.

Answer 10

Society needs to learn "Judge not and you shall not be judged". They teach it in the churches but choose not to walk it.
"Love others as you would love yourself". They teach it in the churches but choose not to walk it. They teach it in homes, around families and friends but choose not to walk it. I am heterosexual and choose to be. But i also choose to acknowledge a person for who they are, what they are and how they are. What about the rest of the world? I guess we are at odds. Therefore, let the people change and realise our kids need us regardless.