Lonely Life
Jun 27th, 2011 04:22 PM By KristenHi, I’m Kristen and I am a lesbian. I am also a Christian and I go to a Christian School where you get kicked out for being part of the LGBT community. I have hidden being gay all of high school and just in the last few months I have come out to my friends and a couple family members.
At school I get made fun of a lot. Whenever people see me for the first time they are hesitant to talk to me because they don’t know if I’m a guy or girl. I have been threatened, assaulted, and talked about. Sometimes it makes me really upset, but I am proud of who I am and I will not change for anyone.
I always try and remember that if someone hates me for my orientation, then that is their loss and they are missing out on a great friendship. I don’t like that every day I go to school I have to hide the truth and ignore the insults, but I try and remain strong. My dream is that one day homosexuality will be accepted or at least tolerated in Christian schools. I give a damn.
Trouble with Myself…
Jun 27th, 2011 04:07 PM By k8I give a damn about all types of bullying… being made fun of for any reason sucks… I grew up poor, abused, neglected. I have decided that I can give a damn and honor the child and young woman that should have existed, that never got the chance because NO one gave a damn when it came to me! SO, I advocate for all teens to give a damn and stop being so hard on each other and themselves! When you try hard to make someone hurt your proving how much you dislike about yourself!
CDC STUDY: GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL TEENS MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN RISKY, UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS
Jun 07th, 2011 11:04 AM By AdminAccording to TIME:
“In the largest study of its kind, government health officials report that gay, lesbian and bisexual teenagers are significantly more likely to engage in risky, unhealthy behaviors — such as smoking, drinking, using drugs, having unprotected sex and contemplating suicide — than their straight peers.
“The new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is based on data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, which were conducted from 2001 to 2009 and involved high-school students in seven states and six large urban school districts (including New York City, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Milwaukee and San Diego). The surveys asked teens about all manner of risky behaviors, including whether they had ever used heroin or tried throwing up to lose weight, their habits regarding unprotected sex, whether they drove after drinking alcohol, whether they wore seatbelts and bike helmets, carried a gun or drank soda every day. The surveys also asked about teens’ sexual orientation.
“What researchers found was that students who identified as being gay, lesbian or bisexual were more likely to report engaging in 70% of all the risk behaviors measured, compared with heterosexual students, particularly behaviors related to violence (like not going to school for fear of personal safety) or to attempted suicide (such as making a suicide plan), tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors and weight management.
“The disparities were dramatic: for example, while 8% to 19% of straight teens reported smoking cigarettes, about 20% to 48% of gay teens reported the same. Bisexual teens reported the highest rates of many risky behaviors, even higher than gay and lesbian students; 33% to 63% of bisexual students reported binge drinking, for instance, compared with up to 16% to 44% of straight students and 17% to 44% of gay students.
“Why? Reported The Advocate:
“Much of what’s ailing these students can be attributed to a lack of ’safe and supportive environments,’ according to the CDC report, which mentioned a survey that found gay and lesbian students feel unsafe while at school.
“The CDC calls for state and local governments to do more — in the form of policies or programs such as gay-straight alliances — to combat what’s happening to gay youth. It also calls for better information. The center’s analysis was based on a common tool for judging the risk of students — called the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System — but in 2009, only 10 states and seven large school districts even asked whether the students were gay or bisexual.”
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- Learn about Youth: School | Suicide | Homelessness
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I Know…
Jun 03rd, 2011 06:20 AM By TaylorI’m Taylor and even though I’m not gay or a lesbian, I totally support equality with gay, lesbian, and transgender people everywhere. I’m in school and I know that most guys who act maybe a little feminine get teased and made fun of all the time. Things get thrown at them at lunch. It’s just disappointing. And those kids are the ones who don’t know how to express themselves because they’re too worried about being made fun of.
But, they also don’t know how to stand up for themselves, so they get pushed around and walked all over. But, that’s the point of this awesome campaign! Those kids need to stand up for themselves and not be afraid to go against the grain to express themselves. Yes, it may take a little getting used to to be gay or lesbian, but it’s best to let people know who you are so you won’t get walked over and/or taken for granted. Hope this helps!!!
-Taylor(:
Even Your Friends Can be Your Family
Jun 01st, 2011 03:49 PM By Daniel AllenWhen I was growing up I knew I was different (Bi-sexual). At the age of 14 I decided to tell a very trust-worthy friend my secret. I had a friend that always stuck by me, no matter what, it took me hours and hours of thinking, but I finally made up my mind, I was gonna tell him I was Bi.
So, a bunch of us guys were playing basketball and soon the game broke up, but Randy was staying over at my house and my mom didn’t mind us coming home later than usual. So Randy and I were sitting there at the bench, having a bunch of fun, just talking, so I took advantage of the moment and told him. He looked surprised when I told him, and I thought he was gonna tell me off and leave to tell other people, he just hugged me.
I had a brotherly-love for Randy, so I just melted into his arms. He said it was ok, that I shouldn’t be ashamed of who I am and that he and God, loved me for me. That made me so happy! So, now I’m in college and out of the closet. And guess who is my room-mate! Randall!
Pain, Pain, Go Away.
Jun 01st, 2011 03:44 PM By BaileyWhen I came out about being bisexual, I posted it on Facebook. Probably NOT the brightest thing to do. I had people saying, “You’re so brave.” “I can’t believe it!” etc. My step-mother told me I need to tell my parents, Mom & Dad. I told my mom after she woke up from a nap. She rolled over, looked at me and said, “No you’re not. Now go get that off of the internet.” I was hurt.
Later on, my step-mother asked if I wanted to tell Dad. I said no, so she said she would. I have no idea if she did or not. Later on, my mom just kinda ignored me. The next day at school, I didn’t hear the end of it. I heard “Freak,” “Lesbian,” and anything else they could throw at me. 8th grade year was the hardest year of middle school I had to deal with.
Now, I’m a freshman, almost a sophomore. I don’t have nearly as many people after me as I did. I love being half-straight-half-lesbian. It’s who I am. I had a girlfriend for almost a year that I was madly in love with. I still think about her everyday. Discrimination is one of the things I hate the most. I want gay marriage to be allowed in every state. That’s what I want to see progress before I die.
Excuse Me?
Jun 01st, 2011 03:30 PM By AshleyMy name is Ashley and I am 18.
I went to the regular small town high school where everyone is expected to be exactly like everyone else. Sorry, that was never me. I’ve been crushing on girls for as long as I can remember, but I always thought that was just not allowed. But my freshman year of high school I met three girls that were openly gay, and soon I was comfortable enough to date one of them and come out.
We got lots of funny looks and snide comments, then one day it just escalated. A senior boy on the soccer team walked by us in the hall and yelled “Dyke!”, and me being new, I snapped right back and I called him a bitch. He got in my face and cornered me, before it got too bad a teacher broke us up. Once I had explained what started the fight the young man in question was suspended and kicked off of the soccer team. After this a lot of teachers started to accept us and the other gay people at my school, granted it is still hard but it’s a lot easier with some of the staff standing by us.
I know being gay and in high school are some of the hardest times but never let it get the best of you, it will always get better.
Help 4 Home
Jun 01st, 2011 03:28 PM By HollyHi y’all. Let me just say that I’m straight. I live in a home that is disgusted by gays, lesbians, etc. I go to a school that uses the term “gay” or “lesbian” as an insult. It bothers me and they think I’m disgusting for not hating people different from us. I have absolutely no problem with y’all and I believe that if that’s what they want to do and if it makes y’all happy then I’m happy for you. 
I’m just sick of living as an outsider cause of what I believe.
Shouldn’t Everyone Be Treated Equally?
May 18th, 2011 11:11 PM By ShannonThe other day in my school, in class we were talking about gays and lesbians and my teacher got very mad at us for it. “You are in a Catholic school,” she said. “Be more appropriate.” None of us understood. How are us — 13 and 14 year olds — more accepting then the adults in the society? That same day, another teacher said that the subject of gays wasn’t appropriate. I think my heart sunk. You know what, I could care less if I was Catholic. I — a 13 year old straight girl — am more than accepting towards this. I, along with my classmates, give a damn!
BEN COHEN’S ACCEPTANCE TOUR
May 10th, 2011 05:18 PM By Admin
Ben Cohen, England Rugby World Cup Winner and staunch straight supporter of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality, is bringing his Acceptance Tour to the USA and to hold development meetings for the formation of an anti-bullying foundation. The foundation will leverage the support of a variety of other sports and entertainment stars, as well as U.S. corporations, to actively promote equality for and combat bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
Ben filmed a special invitation (below) to all of our amazing Give a Damn Campaign supporters to join him as he stops in New York City, Atlanta, Seattle and Washington DC later this month. Check out his website to learn more >>
Here are some words from Ben on why he stands up against homophobia:
I am passionate about standing up against homophobia and feel compelled to take action. It is time we stand up for what is right and support young people who are being harmed. As athletes, it is not enough just to have strong bodies. We must have strong characters and use our voices to support those who need and deserve it.
Every person on this planet has a right to be true to themselves, to love and be loved, and to be happy. I encourage others to stand up with me and make a difference. Stand up for equality, stand up against bullying.
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- Learn more about Ben and his Acceptance Tour
