Out in the Mountains

Upright Outright Vermont

Society has become more aware of
adolescence as a difficult time of life. By
establishing support networks, youth or-
ganizations, and other services, society is
attempting to meet the needs of teenagers.
Yet, there are few safe places for gay,
lesbian, and bisexual teenagers to go to talk
about their sexuality, ask questions, or gain
support. Where can these kids go for infor-
mation or support? And, is it the responsi-
bility of adult lesbians and gay men to
provide them with information and sup-
port?

For many adolescents, peer relations
and sexuality directly affect self-esteem.
Few gay and lesbian teens find acceptance
among peers; few are given the resources to
view their sexuality in a positive light.
Also, few families are willing to provide
support for their gay, lesbian or bisexual
teenager. This constant ridicule and disap-
proval during developmental years has a
tremendous negative impact on self-es-
teem.

Those of us who were gay or lesbian
teenagers understand the fear and loneli-
ness of that time. Even as adults, many of us
must hide ourselves; many are lonely;
many suffer the judgments of others. Yet,
we as adults, have more power, more

  

You are somewhat confused about
what you call my “far right agenda” on the
issue of gay rights.

Twenty five years ago I worked ac-
tively in the civil rights movement. Our
goal was a “color free society”, and we
worked with considerable success to strike
down barriers facing black Americans.

Unfortunately, despite the explicit
assurances of such civil rights leaders as
Hubert Humphrey, “striking down barriers
to a color blind society” quickly turned into
“special legally mandated privileges for
disadvantaged groups.”

Special legislation to confer “equal
rights” upon gays will just as inevitably
result in “gay preference” laws, policies,
and court cases. I am not about to vote to
give gays any preference over their fellow
citizens, or to confer some sort of official
legitimacy on their sexual practices.

That is my “dangerous and intolerant”
position. You are welcome to make the
most of it.

Yours truly,
Senator John McClauj@

 

choice, and more access to informatione
than we did as teenagers. More irnpq. I
tantly, we have reached a stable place de
velopmentally where we have the persona] ‘
resources to care for ourselves in a hostile 1
world.
Publicly discussing the needs of teen. |
age sexual minorities, or even their exis-
tence, is a risk for the gay and lesbian
community. In doing so, we expose om.
selves to homophobic judgments and as-
sumptions. These assumptions range from I
the unfounded belief that homosexuals’
molest children, to the idiotic notion that’
we are trying to recruit (possibly seduce)
vulnerable young people into our ranks.
It is important for us. as adults, to
become involved in making our schools’
and youth organizations safe, accepting ,
places for ALL teenagers in spite of these I
risks. Although we may expose ourselves
to homophobic criticisms, we can create
alternatives to the pain and isolation of
being “different.” And, in doing so, gay.
lesbian and bisexual teens may grow into
more powerful, creative, and loving adults. ’
These are the stated goals of the new or-
ganization “Outright Verrnont”,and0l'I'M
enthusiastically supports their efforts.

 

 

 

 

o e r. «
My daughter recently sent me a copy
of your newsletter which I am sharing with
friends here in Puerto Rico.

They are amazed at the frankness of
the articles in the newsletter and intrigued
by the lists of services offered to Lesbians _

and Gay Men. There are no such organize .

tions here in Puerto Rico, and, in fact, that
are no bookstores where one can buy W
materials dealing with any aspect of alter-
native life styles. It's as if we were livifl8“‘
the Dark Ages.

For the most part language is no gm‘ ~
barrier here. Most Puerto Ricans ’
English and many speak it quite wel1.bP‘
most feel more comfortable wriliflfl ‘“
Spanish. For this reason they would liktw
have materials in Spanish which they C011” 
contribute to and share with others WW
knowledge of English is weak. _ ,

Puerto Rican lesbians and gays 1lV°'“
a secret underworld isolated from 
straight community. Many marry 
of family pressure; all are taught that W p

are going through 3 pI;gfmV;'nhui§,5‘,‘,’.'°E¥zges; 3'