COMMUNITY GROUPS
Reach out a hand of support to isolated gay youth
by Perry Slone
Washington Court House, Mount Sterling, Hillsboro, London, South Charles-
ton...
These are just a few of the many small towns here in Ohio. Many of us probably came from small towns such as these. I am from London, Ohio. There wasn't, and still isn't, much to do there for a teen who is gay or lesbian. There are no youth groups or social groups to get involved with in London.
Madison Plains, Westfall, London, Jonathan Alder, Greenfield-McClain ... These are some of the high schools in Ohio. My alma mater is Madison Plains. There was nothing available to me on the subject of homosexuality, other than the usual locker room "fag" jokes or "smear the queer." And, never, ever play dodge ball if your classmates think you might be gay—you can get hurt badly.
Most gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transender youth just want someone their own ge to talk to; someone who can be a peer, vho will listen and understand and reasure that young person that they are not lone. I believe it is our obligation as Christians to do what we can to help these 'ouths, since they represent the future of ur communities, our organizations, and ur churches. We must extend our hands n support and friendship the way Jesus id to Matthew, to whom he simply said Follow me." The Bible is full of exmples like these.
In high school, I had a classmate who 'as somewhat effeminate in his actions. e was constantly ridiculed and harassed. ther kids would put fake "love" letters om other boys in his locker, he was ipped and knocked to the floor on nuerous occasions, along with having to dure the usual name-calling.
t
At lunch period, he began to sit with me my table. I sat alone most of the time ecause I was painfully shy and scared of y own feelings that I might be gay, so I as a little nervous about his sitting with e since I didn't want to be harassed like
e was. But that never happened, and soon
216/356-8755
he was sitting with me every day.
The day before we graduated he thanked me for letting him sit with me at lunch and said, "It was the only time during the day that I felt safe and had any peace.”
Isn't that what we all really want, to feel safe and to live in peace? Don't we want to be loved and accepted for who we are as individuals? Well, gay kids want those things too.
Our obligation as gay and lesbian adults is clear-we must reach out a hand of support and friendship to all, especially our kids. We must send a clear message to our religious leaders that the church must fulfill its Christian duty and make our churches more open and accepting. There is so much to learn and gain and so little to lose in these gestures.
The message we must send is one of love and acceptance. We must teach our communities that spirituality is a positive force, a gift from God. If a child lives with ridicule, she or he learns to be shy, as I was. If a child lives with shame, she or he learns to feel guilty, as I did. But if a child lives with fairness, she or he learns justice, and if a child lives with approval, they learn to like themselves. Let's remember what Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whomever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Go in Peace...not in pieces! If you are a gay, lesbian or bisexual youth dealing with the pain of isolation, it may be helpful to have the following telephone numbers: Rainbow Pride Hotline, 800-291-9190; Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition, 614-447-7199; Phoenix Pride Youth Group, 614-445-0013; Huckleberry House 24-hour youth crisis shelter, 614294-5553; P-FLAG of Columbus, 614227-9355. [See "Youth Groups" on the inside back page of this paper for numbers in other Ohio cities, including the National Gay-Lesbian Youth Hotline, 800347-8336 evenings.] ✓
Perry Slone is the director of Beacon Ministries, P.O. Box 10814, Columbus, Ohio 43201.
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