Think About This

August 21, 1992

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Page 21

by Mike Radice

Are we killing our young?

Take a look at some of these statistics: Between 30 and 41 percent of all lesbians and gays attempt suicide between the ages of 14 and 24.

● Fifty percent of all gay and lesbian adolescents who attempt suicide once will attempt it again.

Lesbian and gay adolescents are two to three times more likely to seriously consider or attempt suicide than heterosexual peers.

Urban lesbian and gay adolescents are twice as likely to attempt suicide than their suburban or rural peers.

Gay adolescent males are 12 to 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than lesbians.

White gay males are more likely to try suicide than blacks.

These paralyzing statistics were reported in several research studies published in professional journals, over the last 15 years, by gay and lesbian affirmative professionals. Most of the studies were surveys inquiring into the suicidal behaviors of lesbian, gay and heterosexual adolescents and adults. The survey respondents resided on both coasts, the west, and the midwest. The purpose of the studies was to unearth the nature and depth of a problem that researchers and social service professionals had ignored for decades: that thousands of lesbian and gay teens have been trying to end their lives over the issue of their affectional-sexual orientation.

So, why are thousands of our community's young considering death as an option for coping? According to a review of the research in this area by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (1989), the following reasons were

cited: a negative self-image brought about by a lack of accurate knowledge of what it means to be gay or lesbian; physical or verbal abuse and rejection or isolation from family and peers; and loneliness and social withdrawal.

In addition to these circumstances, all adolescents go through an unstoppable and rapid set of physical, emotional and intellectual changes. These changes set into motion their individuation from the family, and the beginning of the creation of a highly personal identity. While in the midst of going through some of the most significant changes of their lives, and while also trying to define who they are, gay and lesbian teens often receive an onslaught of negative, unchecked messages about people who love and want to have sex with their own gender.

station, magazine, and television station you know and request that they do a lesbian and gay affirmative feature on the subject. Feel free to send a clip of this column with your letter.

Third, give your money and time to gay and lesbian affirmative organizations; especially those with teen programs. Donate gay and lesbian fiction and nonfiction books to your local library, or give them a list of books to order.

Fourth, write to your senators and representatives requesting that they advocate for the inclusion of lesbian and gay affirmative educational programs in the schools. Do the same with your locally elected officials and Board of Education.

Last, affirm and support individual les-

Without the benefit of knowing the truth, Pansy

lesbian and gay teens can easily establish an identity for themselves that is very negative. Pepper that negative identity with loneliness and isolation, and out of the mixing bowl comes a group of desperately unhappy teens who decide that if this is life, it is way too painful to live.

The next question is: "What can be done about this?" Well, if you want to help you can do one or more of the following. First, 'come out, come out, wherever you are.' When gay and lesbian adolescents can see that their teachers, preachers, doctors, performing artists, etc. are lesbian and gay, and are happy and contributing members to society, they will feel a sense of belonging and security. Your being "out" also provides a positive role model for them to emulate. Despite how much adolescents yelp about wanting to be their own persons, they are the world's biggest imitators. What they don't readily imitate, they put into storage for later use.

Second, write to every newspaper, radio

Continued from previous page

It evolves into a tragic love story, ending on the battlefields of The Great War, as Randall, now a brilliant doctor, saves his newest true love, unable to fashion an extra tourniquet from his clothes to save himself.

Talk about a twisted superhero! This guy somehow matures from a fairy-voiced farmhand into a physical specimen that bedazzles everyone who sees him, yet also carrying himself better as a forerunner to Mae West. As randy men in positions of power fawn all over him, he is brought up in society, travels in Europe, and somehow manages to become an investment wizard so that all monetary concerns vanish. His other obsession is education, becoming a doctor (obstetrician!) seemingly as a way to distract his mind from the sex-filled weekends with the slumming girls of high gay society.

I'd throw out the story as absolutely unbelievable (after all, there is so much realism in your basic dirty novel) but the

bian and gay teens that are visibly hurting. There are many young members of the community that have been emotionally and literally discarded from their families and peers, and are lurking in the dark corners of our community. Offer them emotional support. Provide them with information on how to get help. Let them know that being lesbian or gay is a wonderful thing.

Next issue: "Do lesbians and gays really have bigger brains?"

Mike Radice is a psychologist with more than 12 years of experience, currently a school services coordinator with the Cleveland Child Guidance Center and maintaining a small private practice.

archaic language kept me fascinated. Phrases that pre-date "green on Thursdays," and even pre-date me, sound just too queer in this period piece. "Oh, you slay me,' made it to the talkies, but "Whoops-my-dear!" must have died during the war. This little novel also offers some of its own questionable history lessons, pointing out, for example, that "It was at the Cafe Martin [a New York City watering hole in the book] that the catch phrase, 'You must come over,' originated.'

Character names remind one of the tongue-in-orifice names in James Bond novels: a lesbian named Elsie Dike, the "famous" Beach-Bitsche family, Mr. and Mrs. Godown, Miss Fitzhugh--you get the idea. Some of these were drag names, but after awhile it all blended into this mad, camp, whirlwind of fact and phallacy; I recommend it on that basis. Only a 1992 copyright date is shown, so who knows if this is a recent attempt at quaint campiness or if, in fact, this treasure was rescued from the ashes of an old flamer's library. Even I will not admit to being old enough to verify its history..

Karaoke Nights..

Monday

thru Friday

Free Music & Popcorn!

5¢ DECISION

Be The Star You Are With... Jammin' Jen Wed., Aug. 26th ▼ Wed., Sept. 9th ▼ Sat., Sept. 19th Sing to the hits of 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s!!

HAPPY HOUR 4pm-8pm

Discounted Beer & Cocktails

(71

Denison

Tuesdays

Laura's Back with TOOTER Tuesdays!

W. 25th

Linda's Still Here (After all these years) with

Sundays

Memphis

FREE Billiards 7pm-11pm

NEW Hours

Drink Specials EVERY NIGHT!

Pearl Rd.

Broadview Rd.

Deaconess

Hospital

54 DECISION

State Rd.

Monday-Friday Ham-2:30am Saturday & Sunday 7pm-2:30am

14801

오

4365 STATE ROAD

CLEVELAND

661-1314 ▼ 21 & OVER