Relating to Gay and Lesbian Teens

Relating to Gay and Lesbian Teens : 

Relating to Gay and Lesbian Teens (Yes, they’re in your schools)

Why are we talking about this? : 

Why are we talking about this? Stigma (“You never see a cake that says 'Good for you, you're gay!’”) Depression Loss of “normal life” Suicidality Lack of “safe spaces”

You come into contact with them : 

You come into contact with them Sexual identity often begins to develop in preadolescence Estimated 10% of population (often disputed) Someone, somewhere in your school population

Typical supports : 

Typical supports “Strength-based” model of adolescent development Typical adolescent psychosocial history is focused on risk factors (eg. substance use, sexual activity, risk taking, etc.) Church groups Athletics Other extracurriculars

Not a whole lot of lesbians here : 

Not a whole lot of lesbians here

He might be… : 

He might be…

Or… : 

Or…

Your gay student : 

Your gay student Lead in the school musical Lots of female friends Flamboyant and proud Not fooling anyone (and may not be trying)

Or… : 

Or… Star hockey player Lots of girlfriends (in the usual sense of the word) Closeted, isolated, fearful of discovery Fooling everyone

She might be… : 

She might be…

Or… : 

Or…

Your lesbian student : 

Your lesbian student Star hockey player “One of the guys” High-achieving industrial arts whiz Not fooling anyone (and may not be trying)

Or… : 

Or… Captain of the cheerleading squad Dating the captain of the football team Depressed, anxious, fearful of discovery Fooling everyone

Don’t assume! : 

Don’t assume! You never know.

It may come up! : 

It may come up! DO Use neutral phrasing (“Have you started dating?” “Are you seeing anyone?” “Anything serious?”) Assure confidentiality Keep the conversation open Avoid judgements DON’T Make assumptions (“Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?”) Apply pressure (no matter how 100%, beyond the shadow of a doubt sure you are) to “come out” “Lalalala…. I can’t heeeeeear yoooooouuu!!” Close the book on the conversation

The good you can do : 

The good you can do Have honest conversations about safer sex Heterosexually-focused health classes may not have felt applicable Prevent substance abuse Alleviate depression, or help detect it and secure treatment Provide support for a desperately lonely, isolated and afraid young person

A final note : 

A final note We always remember the support we received from those we told first.

Questions? : 

Questions? For more information, go to: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/glbtq.htm