How Can The Gay Community Reach Out To This Generation's Teens?
Arguably the most difficult time for Gay men/women is their teenage years because most often, that is whine 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?
3 Answers - Sort by: Date | Rating
1) Free them from stereotypes. Make them feel being gay doesn't change their personality, the way they talk, the friends they choose. I have heard so many gay teen males complain of being pressured into talking with a lisp, liking shopping, or hanging out with girls. Being gay doesn't guarantee them having diseases, doing drugs, or being discriminated against. They shouldn't have to let being gay 'become' them. It's a sexuality, not a purpose.
2) Give them other teens to talk to. Making them understand there are others struggling through the same feelings and difficulties can make all the difference. It sounds terrible, but it can also weed out those who 'play gay' for attention and force unwanted stereotypes on genuinely gay, struggling teens.
3) Let them know their parents love them, whether or not they seem like terrible bigots. Most parents want the best for their child, using all the experience they have mustered into their personal struggles. Then their child marches up and announces "Hey, you can't help me, I've 'chosen' this extremely difficult, what appears to be dangerous, lifestyle and sexuality that you have no experience with." It's scary, but don't shut the doors on your parents. You'll be amazed at how love can still make them come around. I had a friend who waited 20 years for his Catholic Hispanic father to come around. He now lives with him and they have a wonderful relationship.
2) Give them other teens to talk to. Making them understand there are others struggling through the same feelings and difficulties can make all the difference. It sounds terrible, but it can also weed out those who 'play gay' for attention and force unwanted stereotypes on genuinely gay, struggling teens.
3) Let them know their parents love them, whether or not they seem like terrible bigots. Most parents want the best for their child, using all the experience they have mustered into their personal struggles. Then their child marches up and announces "Hey, you can't help me, I've 'chosen' this extremely difficult, what appears to be dangerous, lifestyle and sexuality that you have no experience with." It's scary, but don't shut the doors on your parents. You'll be amazed at how love can still make them come around. I had a friend who waited 20 years for his Catholic Hispanic father to come around. He now lives with him and they have a wonderful relationship.
2
0
I agree w/ peach bug up to the point wherein she types..."i've chosen...................no experience with it." that one line bothers me...because i know for a fact that people do not "choose" to be gay for they are simply born gay. i wish i could put that on a banner and run it 24 hrs. A day at the top of blurt-it! that erks me....lovie♥
2
0
I'm not saying they choose it, I think it's natural, but I think most parents assume it's some terrible 'choice' or phase their child is going through that they never experienced and it scares them.
I HEAR WHAT UR SAYING THO I ALSO SEE WHAT YOU'VE TYPED..AND IT IS IN PARENTHESIS...THO I AM NOT SURE WHY...MY FRIEND♥ PERHAPS YOU MAY CONSIDER CHANGING SOMETHING IN THAT STATEMENT SO MY ANSWER CAN BE SHORTENED DRASTICALLY...LOL NO OFFENSE MY DEAREST PEACH♥
- How Does The Generation Gab Lead To A Miss Understanding Between Teens And Their Parents?
- Where Are All The Gay Teens?
- What Causes Depression In Gay Teens?
- Where Do I Find Other Gay Teens?
- Is There A Gay Community In Copenhagen?
- Do Protestants Except The Gay Community?
- What Things Make Gay Teens Have The Highest Suicide Rate Than Anyone Else?
New Comment - Comments are editable for 5 min.