gay youth

Facebook a danger to LGBT Youth?

January 19, 2012 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Back in September when Facebook started announcing and putting all their new changes into place, specifically the timeline, I had a talk with my online advisor. At that time we were discussing the fact that most LGBT Youth organizations do NOT communicate with teens through the medium they use most: their cell phone. In fact, most LGBT Youth organizations’ online info isn’t even accessible to at-risk teens if they aren’t sitting at a PC. Simply, website and contact info is nearly invisible if the organization’s website is not mobile friendly. (Or if they don’t have a mobile app.)

This came to light (to me) when I was trying to send some emergency contact info to an LGBT kid that needed immediate resources and help. I sent several of the most prominent national LGBT youth website URLs (and multiple local ones) only to have him tell me that he couldn’t read or access any of it on his cell phone. (The only thing available to him.) That’s a pretty big fail for LGBT Youth organizations, especially those trying to help homeless youth. If we can’t connect with the kids, how are we going to help? [Read more…] about Facebook a danger to LGBT Youth?

A Talk For Parents of LGBT Children

December 8, 2011 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Here’s a video from a close friend specifically for parents of LGBT children coming out. Probably the most important point to convey before I step off this stage and let David talk to you is the fact that children simply want to be loved, but his video goes beyond that and is well worth watching.

Note: I’ve also added a few resource link below for parents seeking more information, and you can also click over to LGBT Youth Orgs for more.

GLBT National Help Resource Center (for finding LGBT resources near you)

Ten Things I’ve Learned About Gay People in Ten Years | A Christian Perspective

Gay youth, family rejection, and health problems

The Link Between LGBT Youth, Bullying, and Suicide

18 Anti-Gay Groups and Their Propaganda

Lost and Found Youth

November 18, 2011 By Brandon Leave a Comment

The Lost and Found Organization is a grass roots Atlanta based movement working to get LGBT kids off the street right now, at this very moment. It is still in its infancy, but it is already changing lives. Below is just one of the latest updates about what’s going on with the movement and with the organization. I am very proud to say that this is one of the nonprofits that benefits from sales of Rain and one of the very few I have ever worked with that is out there going to the kids instead of waiting for them to show up. This is the gay community helping lgbt youth. Read below how such simple acts of kindness change lives, perceptions and eventually… life outcomes. And please consider a donation. $20 gets one kid off the street for the night and gives him/her a warm bed, and the hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

FIRST – I am happy to report that the Lesbian couple and baby get to meet their GOSTER= Gay Foster Family tomorrow nite. If all goes well and they approve of each other, they will be moving in next week. [Read more…] about Lost and Found Youth

What Do You Tell Him?

November 7, 2011 By Brandon 5 Comments

Meet Tyler.

Tyler’s dad found out he was homosexual and disowned him, denied that he ever existed, and threw him out of the house after beating him unconscious. Tyler is 14.

When he is on the street picking through dumpsters looking for something, anything, to eat, he thinks of all the times he heard his parents tell him that they would love him no matter what.

He recalls when he lay curled in his father’s lap while his daddy read to him. He remembers that he would drift off to sleep in his arms only to awaken the next morning tucked safely in bed. He thinks that this memory, which has suddenly left him trembling and near tears again, is only three years old. Just three years, when he was eleven, and didn’t really understand all the names and rage his father would throw at him later.

He wonders what his mom is doing now, why she never stepped forward and said, “Enough!” Why she never did anything on that night but cinch the curtain a little tighter when he turned and looked back at what used to be his home. Did she hate him too? [Read more…] about What Do You Tell Him?

You don’t let my conscience sleep

October 25, 2011 By Brandon Leave a Comment

The title of this post reflects an email I received from a fan after he read The Value Of Rain.

And while I very much appreciated the sentiment behind his words, I never wrote Rain to do anything other than make people think and feel. As one recent reviewer wrote “If you are looking for something light to read, then The Value of Rain isn’t for you, but if you want to read a story that will wrench your heart and make you feel something, then give it a go.”

And please don’t misunderstand, because I enjoy escapist writing as much as anyone else. I’m a massive sci-fi fan and will quickly chomp down a series like a fat greasy cheeseburger, licking my finders and all!

But when atrocities come close to home; when you become witness to suffering that you could never imagine, then a voice must be made, a voice must heard. The Value Of Rain is a voice; the voice of people I knew and of things they suffered. It’s also voice of my own conscience trying to deal with the horrifying sorrow of what they felt comfortable talking with me about. And yes, several of the characters in the book are/were real people; some of the most humorous and some of the most tragic. I will leave you to decide for yourself which are real and which are fictional, and will not discuss that further. [Read more…] about You don’t let my conscience sleep

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!”.

[Read more…]