Gay and Lesbian Connection

Being honest about your sexual orientation can be a dangerous thing to do in some schools.   Many kids are bullied, berated, persecuted, and shunned by their classmates because they are gay.  According to the Gay and Lesbian Task Force, LGBT students are five times more likely to miss school because they are discriminated against.  Thankfully there are GSA’s (Gay-Straight Alliance) groups in a lot of schools that actively support unity between students of all sexual orientation. Not only do GSA’s provide a safe place for LGBT students to be themselves, they help the gay community feel less afraid and more accepted in a homophobic world.  

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The American Family Association, which condemns gay and lesbian family causes like marriage equality, has called for a boycott of fast-food chain restaurant McDonald’s.

 McDonald’s, however, has given the AFA notice that it’s not about to allow its policies to be dictated by anti-gay groups.

 In a letter to the AFA Pat Harris, Global Chief Diversity Officer for McDonald’s, wrote, “We treat our employees and our customers with respect and dignity, regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other factors. We support out employees’ personal involvement in organizations of their choice.”

 ”McDonald’s is a trusted and well-respected neighbor, employer and corporate citizen in communities across the U.S. We will continue to support our people and their right to live and work in an inclusive society.”

 

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Most professionals agree that sexual orientation and gender identity are not things that a person can change.

Though we don’t know exactly what determines gender identity or sexual orientation, we do know that neither can be attributed to any one, easily adjustable, factor.

Various groups claim to be able to change sexual orientation and gender identity through therapy. There is no scientific basis for these claims, and the success rate is very dubious. Often people in such programs emerge feeling bad about themselves, and experience guilt when they are not able to change.

Ultimately, what is much more important than trying to be someone who you aren’t, is learning to like the person who you are!

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More young people are coming out to themselves, earlier than ever before as gay and lesbian.  But this increasing awareness of their sexuality does not come without a host of problems.     Often they have to hide their sexual orientation from their peers, family members and others, which can leave them both socially and emotionally isolated.  Those who are not closeted may face discrimination, verbal or physical harassment.  That’s bad enough  but there seems to be an epidemic of homelessness among gay youth.  And recently ex-gay ministries have shifted their focus to young people.                                              So while coming out  is more prevalent today than it was 25 years ago, one thing hasn’t changed: the lives of gay youth can be difficult and challenging.      

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