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LETTER TO A D J are also ridiculed and assaulted by family 915—0 ONLINE:
contributed by Mary Crone members. If home isn’t safe, where is? The Peter: pjtayl00@ukcc.uky.edu
One evening near the beginning of suicide rate for lesbian and gayyouth is higher Elizabeth: bee@mis.net
December, I was driving home from the then that for adolescents in general, some Tammy: sappho@mis.net
grocery store listening to a radio station studies indicate that one third of suicidal teens
chosen by one of my children, when I heard are in despair because they think they are or HELP UPDATE Us 1:011 THE
Chris Goodman respond to a caller in a might be gay, We are also overrepresented in NEW YE AR
homophobic manner. I composed an angry young people who are living on the streets, If you know of any updated names or phone
letter in my mind, not an infrequent runaways or throw—aways. Falling grades, low numbers for the Directory listing on the back
occurrence But this time I have actually put self esteem, drug and alcoholabuse are all page, please contact Elizabeth at the above e-
fingers to computer and sent him the results of the homophobia Within our culture. mail address, or at 277—3644,®
following letter. I may not get a response but Is it any wonder that many of us stay in denial?
I’ll share my thoughts this with all of you in On the other hand, coming out can be The GLSO is now taking signups for “5
hopes that if any one else hears this D] being liberating, joyful, and the blossoming of the remaining sponsorships for 1997- ll You or
homophobic, you might add your voice to ability to love oneself and others Support your organization has an interest, contact
mine or let me know what you hear. helps young people to move away from despair Mary at 2665904-
towards self-acceptance. The negative
Dear IlhiGsliliillrignto you in hopes that your reactions listed above give way to the W a l'erlPEéET'f‘I-ZRS NEEDED [-
co mm e nts on the air last Thes day evening realization that gays and lesbians live happy the' re :1le 0: ng Oha types: er 000“ 22:6
(Dec. 10) were meant to be humorous rather productive lives. ls th )1??? d it 1:th thas we e
than cruel and that if I eXplain to you how they In the gay/ lesbian community we often types: er?“ A: .0 a mil 1 d \S'rth fie years, we
might have been hurtful, you willbe less likely find humor in the coming out process and age; .il-pl y demghpie hl (“~00 [ll/gm]
to repeat this form of humor. within our lives. However, I did not find your 0 I?“ 1025' :1 are 3"ng a ar Ime g1 Ing
Ayoung man called to ask if he could ask comments humorous but an attempt to our "Ilse or he communtity. t - t ki
a girl to go out with him over the air. You ridicule. You could have easily stimulated fear tt' you ﬁver? ”1 ere; t“: a ﬁg over
expressed surprise that this young man wanted and humiliation in the young caller. Was this typese Ing, CO“ ac ary or e 6 ~ ©
to ask a girl out and you kept repeating your your Intent? I hOPe not. ,DO you mean to be
skepticism that he would want to date a harassmg callers 0n the air, do you want to be
female. You assumed by his voice that this cruel? Againhl hope “Ot' the til—52 '
young man was gay. He may be gay, but he 'Ifyou WISh to respond to my concern you Sponsor of the Month
obviously isn't out, perhaps not even to can fmdanaddress and phone number above. .
himself. Please do not respond on the air as this could .
Coming out is difficult and particularly further humiliate the young caller. Wi n d y
so for the young. Realizing that you might be Egﬁlémm -
ga can beatri er for despair and self-hatred. _ ‘ "
Bedause of inteiisge homophobia, young people President, .GI’SO 4 K n 0 Fa r m
perceived tobe gay are harassed and assaulted P0” 5.6"” The DJ called me and _
in school. A surprisingly high number of us apologzzedpersonally.®