LGBT

Our Youth Deserve Love & Respect

October 13, 2011 By Brandon 1 Comment

Guest post by by James Robinson, Director GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services

Young people need to know they are loved and that they have our support.

I believe those of us who have survived into adulthood have a responsibility to support and encourage youth who are struggling with many of the same issues we faced at their age. The fact that we understand these issues based on our personal experiences makes us uniquely qualified to provide this critical support. Our society is in a state of crisis brought about by a basis lack of love and respect for each other. Simply put, all people deserve love and respect regardless of any of the circumstances our society uses to segregate us into various sub-groups.

Fighting Bigotry and Hatred

My heart hurts each time I hear that another young person has committed suicide because they felt they were not important, less than human, sinful, ugly, or alone. Recently, after working all week dealing with local bullying issues and other concerns shared with me because of my work, I saw online that another young girl only 12 years old committed suicide here in Alabama. It is suspected that her death was caused by bullying. When I saw this I broke down, cried, called friends, and looked for personal support because I was tired and angry. How many of these beautiful young people have to die before we say as a society, “No More!”.

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How Writing Makes a Difference

October 9, 2011 By Brandon 3 Comments

Two Steps Beyond Prose

Words are power. Anyone who is a writer, or a speaker, knows this instinctively; as do those that try to suppress the words they don’t agree with.

Words can change geography, nations, politics and move an entire people to action. But sometimes it is those small changes; those seemingly insignificant burst of prose that make a difference and touch lives that you, as a writer, will never know about or see. Two steps beyond your prose is an action, a caress, a thought that changes even the smallest part of history and you may never know that impact. [Read more…] about How Writing Makes a Difference

PRIDE FOR YOUTH – SAVING LIVES IN THE SUBURBS

September 21, 2011 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Guest post by by Andrew J. Peters

Pride for Youth is a not-for-profit organization that is a service and an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teenagers. Located in Bellmore, NY, fifteen miles east of New York City, Pride for Youth serves Long Island, an area that is geographically diffuse and densely populated. The mission of the agency is to enhance the health, wellness and cultural competency of LGBT youth through education, supportive services and youth development.

It’s a cause that has been a central part of my personal and professional development. I started working there as a social work intern in 1994. As a fledgling initiative, we offered a safe place where kids could gather on a Sunday afternoon, and school-based LGBT-sensitivity workshops to outreach to isolated teens and combat prejudice and bullying.

On Being A Gay Dad

September 12, 2011 By Brandon 2 Comments

As I explore twitter and other mediums I get some interesting comments and questions about being a gay parent. The irony is that I was doing it long before it got headlines and rallies for rights, or before it was “cool”. My children are grown, in college and have solid careers ahead. (And, because the question is often unspoken but asked, they are both straight).

I honestly don’t understand the “cool” which has notably come from gay teens that I’ve spoken to. I guess the assumption there is that things would be different in their own households if they had a gay parent. As if somehow having gay parent meant that they wouldn’t get grounded or get their backside whupped for extreme stupidity, or get nagged about getting chores and homework done. I DO understand the rejection from a straight parent though, all too well, so I can empathize even as I chuckle at being ‘cool’ suddenly at this stage of my life.

But for me, I was simply a father, a single dad. There was nothing extraordinary about our life. Times were different and I shielded them from the bigotry and hatred that they would receive through no fault of their own. I made no qualms about it then and don’t now, simply because I was one of those parents likely to stomp the shit out of you if I perceived you as a threat to my children. Still am, I guess.

One of my fondest memories was watching The Birdcage with them. We all laughed at the extremes, and of course, I and my witty commentary made sure as we watched it that they understood: “See, it could be worse.”

All I got back was, “Oh dad.”

Maybe I was a bit cool? Dunno.