Young and Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Transgender?
Published Aug 7, 2008
Young LGBT
To assist the young people to find the place to be listened to, get facts and safe sex information there are thankfully many voluntary and charitable organisation’s offering friendly, non judgemental support. The links at the foot of this article are just a few of the organisation’s listed specifically for young people to help them access the support they need.
For any young person the added quandry of being a lesbian, gay , bi-sexual or transgender or just thinking ‘am I ?’ is a daunting thought. If you speak to anyone who are of these orientations then they will tell you they recognised their different sexuality from a relatively young age. They will also tell you they didn’t seek any support or act upon their feelings for reasons of fear and the reactions and perceptions from their peers. Some have already been bullied before they were ever ‘out‘; the young effeminate lad, the androgynous lass, the butch one that looks like a boy, that guy who talks funny, the one who’s really camp! They were the obvious targets but there are also many who quietly kept themselves to themselves and had no obvious indication of their sexuality to the outsider.
Being in school and coming out is a scary place to be. Therefore, many young people choose to keep it to themselves. Why? Because they believe no-one wants to know, they are scared of what their friends would say or do, they think their parent’s will believe it only to be a phase or, that they would be ex-communicated from their family. The fear they will have is that they will only receive condemnation rather than the support they need. Therefore, it does make it understandable why they think it is probably best to say nothing or little to the peer groups around them.
Being a young adult is hard enough, already they are coming to terms emotionally, physically, socially, and intellectually with their transition in to the adult world. The young person has a life too, which is as diverse as any other persons. They may have problems at home or may come from a settled happy family. Either way and whichever end of the spectrum they find themselves being lesbian or gay, bi-sexual or transgender, it holds for them a huge fear of ‘coming out’ or simply confiding in a friend about what they think they are! Yet, it is at this time in their life when their personal growth and development should be supported.
The first instance of sexuality coming up at school will be in the equality statements. However, it is not till its time for the class to have sex education that the homosexual world (depending where you live) is mentioned. This also depends on which country you live in and the political and religious factors around discussing homosexual/ same sex relationships.
If sexuality is mentioned it is often just a simple highlight of the fact gay people exist. Other than that they get no information on safe sex, other than the heterosexual need to avoid STD’s and pregnancy. So, at a time when the older teenager wants to know more they are unlikely to volunteer their hand in the air to say ‘ oh I’m glad you brought that up, how do lesbians/ gay people have safe sex?’ for fear of persecution and bullying by their peers in the class.
To help any young person who is having this dilemma or if you are a parent of a young Gay, Lesbian, Transgender or Bi-sexual then the what, where and who you can seek support from is listed in the following links.
Gay and Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland
Gay and Lesbian Youth, Northern Ireland believe that every LGBT young person has a right to exist, but more importantly, has a right, legal and otherwise, to enjoy full citizenship without fear, prejudice, discrimination and bigotry. GLYNI will endeavour to support you, your families and friends, to advocate on your behalf by highlighting your needs and interests, and involving YOU in decisions and policy-making that affects your life where your sexual identity is used as a barrier against you. Every young person who has come through their doors has been in a similar situation to you, and some still are. They will do what they can to help you, even if you simply want a friendly face.
Young gay and lesbian
Information for young gay men and lesbians, including personal stories, Am I gay? Am I lesbian? and safe sex.
LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT Youth Scotland is a national youth organisation working towards the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in the life of Scotland.
Mermaids
Mermaids is a support group for gender variant children and teenagers. Their aim is to support children and teenagers up to the age of 19, who are trying to cope with their gender identity issues. Mermaids also offers support to parents, families, carers, and others. They actively aim to raise awareness about gender issues amongst professionals (e.g. teachers, doctors, social services, etc.,) and the general public. Mermaids also Campaigns for the recognition of this issue.
International Lesbian and Gay Association
World-wide network of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people everywhere.
Website: www.ilga.org
Parent's Enquiry Scotland
Support for parents and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sons and daughters. For parents and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
Phone (Lothian): 0131 556 6047 (9am - 10pm)
Phone (Strathclyde): 0141 427 3897 (9am - 10pm)
E mail: parentsenquiry@hotmail.com
Website: www.parentsenquiryscotland.org
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