GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 24, 1997

Evenings Out

'You are not alone"

Book shows teens, parents and teacher

lives of happy gay and lesbian youth

by Doreen Cudnik

Being out as a gay, lesbian or bisexual teen can be a lonely, scary place. Gay youth are at a significantly higher risk of becoming runaways, contracting HIV, being physically or verbally abused, and feeling rejected by family and friends. Most tragically, suicide is the leading cause of death among lesbian and gay teens.

For those reasons, Adam Mastoon's book The Shared Heart: Portraits and Stories Celebrating Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People has the potential to become a life-saving project. The book features written narratives from a diverse collection of young people about the joys and challenges of growing up gay. Accompanying the text are vivid black and white photographs by the author.

The goal of The Shared Heart is to let gay young people know they are not alone, and to better educate teachers, parents and fellow students about the need for tolerance, understanding and love.

The book was launched at the National Press Club on October 9 in Washington, D.C. to coincide with National Coming Out Day. It has the backing of several lesbian and gay organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Author Judy Blume, singer Elton John, Rep. Barney Frank and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls are among the nationally known people who have endorsed the project.

Mastoon said he created the book to present today's gay kids with visible and affirming images.

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"When I was growing up gay, there no images of gays and lesbians, and consequently, I didn't know where I fit in," Mastoon said. "That's how we know that we belongwhen we see ourselves reflected in the world." The project took three years to complete and was originally created as a traveling exhibit. It was displayed at the Gay and Lesbian Visitors Center at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

While many of the subjects tell troubling stories, Mastoon said, "All of the kids that were chosen for the project have made it through to the other side."

Jayson, 18, is pictured wearing a cap and gown. He identified as an “openly gay-bisexual male" when he was elected class president during both his junior and senior years in high school. While his friends demonstated a "positive attitude" when he came out to them, Jayson writes that his parents "have rejected the possibility that I might be gay." "They suggest that I am simply confused and going through a phase.' They have warned that if I confirm my sexuality as anything other than heterosexual, I will be disowned."

Dominique, gazing skyward in her photograph—perhaps looking towards a brighter future is a 17-year-old black woman. She recounts her experiences of being shuttled around from home to home before finally landing safely in a foster home with two lesbian parents.

Dominique attempted suicide “to end the

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"You don't look like a lesbian", a guy said to me recently. First off, for the sake of labels, identify as a bisexual. His comment, though carelessly spoken, made me stop and think. What exactly does a lesbian look like? or a bisexual for that matter? As far as this guy was Concerned I simply could not be a lesbian because I didn't fit his image or society's image of what a lesbian should look like But that's the point. I'm an individual, unique in a lot of different ways. I don't fit a stereotype because I'm a real person. My sexual orientation is just another page in the story that makes up my life.

Lyon Age 21 Оде

pain" after her birth mother would not speak to her for months at a time because of her sexual orientation. When she got out of the hospital following her suicide attempt, she was sent to live with her father, who "claimed to understand the issues in my life."

"Five months later, however, I found myself in foster care-because instead of understanding, he tried to beat the homosexuality out of me."

Although she is now in a family where she feels safe, Dominique says she is "still open to society's abuse.”

Liz, 18, personifies the strength of the queer youth movement.

"You can put a label on me,” she writes, "call me a big dyke, call me damned, call me whatever you want and you will not come close to the truth of what I am. I'm a woman, I'm a poct, I'm a daughter, a sister, a friend. I'm an activist, I'm a Jew, I'm a leader, a scholar, a fighter. I'm a lesbian . . . And I am happy."

"My dream is that the book can get into as

many people's houses as possible, Mastoon said. "Anybody that looks into the hearts of these young people and hears their stories, I honestly believe that their hearts will be touched. And they will see the bright, exquisite adults that these kids are, and see what possibilities there can be when young people are nurtured and supported for being who they are. When young people are celebrated for who they are, they have the ability to grow and thrive into healthy adults who can make a contribution to the world. And that's what I want to see for all young people."

Adam Mastoon