February 1994 ▼ PAGE 21 Q-Notes
Gay youth groups
Continued from page 17
groups attempt to educate teachers, counse
lors, clergy, human service professionals
and parents to recognize and to appreciate
the gay, lesbian and bisexual youth they
encounter every day. One such vehicle
OutRight! uses to educate students and pro
fessionals is the distribution of its newsletter.
Voices, three times a year to high schools in
the Triangle, as well as to health profession
als, key legislators and supporters of the
group.
Although the gay, lesbian and bisexual
populations would be expected to rally be
hind this new and dynamic force in the gay
rights movement, many communities have
not been readily accepting of these groups.
Although Durham’s OutRight! has found
acceptance and support by the gay, lesbian
and bisexual communities, Charlotte's Time
Out has not been as easily assimilated. Tay
lor relates that the gay, lesbian and bisexual
community in Charlotte has taken a more
"wait and see" attitude. "The community has
been waiting to see if the youth group will
fail or solidify before it actively commits its
support." One of the reasons Taylor feels
that community support has not been very
prevalent results from the misconception
held by many gays, lesbians and bisexuals
that youth today have it easier than they did
when they were trying to deal with their
sexuality. Taylor states that the opposite is
more often true, that today's youth have a
much tougher time with the "coming out"
process. According to Taylor, "Harassment
in schools today is consistent for all supposed
gay, lesbian and bisexual youth. This group
of youth is the only minority group today that
is seen as an acceptable target of harassment
form its peers. Students see the treatment
that gays, lesbians and bisexuals receive in
society as a whole, and they copy this sup
posedly 'acceptable' treatment of other hu
man beings."
Despite facing criticism from both the
heterosexual and homosexual communities,
these gay youth groups are definitely having
an impact on society. OutRight! has chosen
to influence through education in the Trian
gle area, as well as educational presentations
to local, state and national organizations.
Time Out has selected a stronger political
stance, actively participating in the 1993
March on Washington, the upcoming NC
Pride March and the National Gay and Les-
, bian Task Force Conference recently held in
Durham. In whatever capacity, these groups
have broken vast amounts of new ground
toward the education of society and the fight
for gay rights.
The greater impact, however, may not be
on society, but on the individuals themselves
in accepting and dealing with their sexual
orientation. As Taylor states, "It is encour
aging to see that the youth are determined not
to live lives in a state of rear or in the closet
as in other generations." If the youth groups
are able to help their participants accept and
flourish within their sexual orientation, then
the groups have truly hved up to their pur
pose.
Currently, there are six gay youth groups
in North Carolina, located in Asheville, Char
lotte, Durham, Fayetteville,Greensboro and
Raleigh. For more information or to provide
financial assistance or volunteer resources to
any of these groups, contact your local gay
information line or contact Durham's
OutRight! at (919) 286-2396 or Charlotte's
Time Out at (704) 377-3399.
QTip
Q-Notes offers free calendar listings as a service to the
community. Send your event information to: Calendar
Editor, RO. Box 28676, Raleigh, NC 27611-8676.
I''I It I L
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