The Other Side

THE OTHER SIDE Imagine life for one moment. In a normal life, one would have a relatively good day

Being a Homosexual in

at school or at work and not have someone insult them for loving who they love or who they have feelings for. Believe it or not this happens to people all the time, and for a large portion of the population it is considered un-human to like someone

Today’s High School: Life is hard for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Teens. If they are not in “accepting” communities, they tend to fall apart as explained by articles

of the same sex. This view is starting to

such as the CDC Article “LGBT” and York College’s “How

disappear, but it is still a huge problem

Are LGBT Youths Affected by Discrimination and What

that needs to be brought up in schools,

Can Schools Do to Help?”. These articles have different

households, and friend groups all over the

focuses, but they unite on one point: Lesbian, Gay Bisex-

country.

ual, and Transgender teens have many problems that do not have to be faced by “normal” heterosexual teens.

Recent media attention has drawn attention to this issue on a national level and there are signs it is becoming a more acceptable lifestyle, but it is occurring slowly.

With that in mind it is time to ask if the schools are doing anything to help these at-risk youths. Sadly most often the answer to this is still no, despite all the problems faced by many. There have been many instances that have occurred where the school have done nothing for them. One mother was very mad at the school system because of how little they helped her son who was being bullied all the time at school. She had stated that she had called the office, the administrator, the superintendent, and all the teachers. They apparently kept throwing up walls and dodging all of her attempts to help her child. This is not always what happens at every school, but it should be remembered that this was not the only instance when this happened.

FITTING IN Research indicates that middle school is the most important time of a teen’s life. Imagine all of the feelings of a regular heterosexual teen, but then add to that one gigantic feeling of being different because of your sexuality. As soon as a child has feelings of homosexuality, they get a feeling like the whole world is either with them or against them.

Both of those feelings can affect

What Role Do Parents Play?

teens in a negative way.

The feeling of wanting to be

Parents are a HUGE part of LGBT youths’ lives and in many cases de-

normal is maybe not the most

termine how the child feels about themselves. What parents can say or

common feeling ever, but it is

do really determines what that teen’s life would be like. It is stated in

definitely present in teens. Some

many other articles about LGBT youths that, the parents views are one

people who are proud of their

of the most important parts of their lives. One studt reported that 50%

homosexuality and don’t experi-

of all gay and lesbian youths report that their parents reject them due

ence

to their sexual orientation. In a recent study of male teenagers selfdescribed as gay or bisexual, 27% moved away from home because of conflict with family members over sexual orientation.

this

internal

struggle

might say it doesn't exist. What they don’t understand is that when someone is called “gay”,

This can even lead to homelessness. There have been stories such as

“Queer”, or “Fag” on a regular

the one about a boy in California. He “came out” to his school counse-

basis, they may want to be nor-

lor. The counselor called his parents. When he ate dinner that night his

mal just so they don’t have to

dad took him outside and beat him very harshly. This is a good remind-

face the fears of their everyday

er that discrimination is not always in public, and things can happen be-

life. Being ridiculed and taunted

hind closed doors.

day in and day out can take a toll

Parents can help to make the youths feel better though. All of the evidence does prove that parents have a role in the youth experience of

on one’s self esteem and self image. All teens want to feel ac-

these homosexual children. If they change their attitude to be happy,

cepted,

accepting

changed , it will be difficult for a

and supportive of their homosexual teen then, the teen

would most likely feel better about themselves as a person.

but

until

society

homosexual to be able to fit in.

is

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Because these teens face a high degree of discrimination, many people would think that they are more subject to drugs and alcohol. In many cases this is true. Gay teens are 2 to 6 times more likely to use drugs, alcohol, and marijuana than their heterosexual counterpart.

It has also been found that 1 in 3 gay males have had regular binge drink-

ing sessions. There has also been research that proves gay teens do have a higher drug and alcohol abuse rate than other heterosexual teens.

What Can be Done by the People in the Community to Help At Risk Homosexual Youths?

Then there is the question about what can normal everyday people do to help these kids from having these sad feelings. The first and most obvious thing would be for parents of other kids in a school system or community to stop gossiping about the homosexual kids in their area. Just because they are older doesn’t mean that they don’t gossip about gay kids This can hurt more than other classmates because it can give homosexual teens the feeling that everyone is against them even if they are twice their age. Also, it is where the kids learn their ideas– from the adults in their lives. So if parents could be less judgemental it might help the kids be less judgemental.

The other issue is bullying in the schools. There are several ways of addressing this issue– and education is one of the biggest. Increasing awareness and starting programs at earlier ages that teach kids to accept all walks of life. Close after this is the need for change in churches and religious groups. The views of gay people by the Christian church can cause homosexual kids to be forced away from their faith or beliefs of their religion because of the insults they get from their fellow religious members. Finally there is a problem that the actual homosexual students must help fix. Often gay teens want to flaunt their beliefs and make themselves open, but it must be remembered on their part that bullying faced by them could be caused by the openness of their beliefs. Others may not like what these homosexual youths stand for and then the gay students make themselves vulnerable to the cruel views of the outside world.

Sources Cited: 

"Behavioral Health." Behavioral Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.



"For Gay Youths, Middle School Can Be Toughest Time | Gay-Straight Alliance Network." For Gay Youths, Middle School Can Be Toughest Time | Gay-Straight Alliance Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. "York College / CUNY.



" How Are LGBT Youths Affected by Discrimination and What Can Schools Do to Help? N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

LGBT Youth." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Preven tion, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.



"LGBTQ Youth." LGBTQ Youth. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.



Marshal, Michael P., Mark S. Friedman, Ron Stall, Kevin M. King, Jonathan Miles, Melanie A. Gold,

Oscar G. Bukstein,

and Jennifer Q. Morse. "Sexual Orientation and Adolescent Substance Use: A Meta-analysis and Methodological Review." Addiction (Abingdon, England). U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.