By Brody Levesque (Washington D.C.) Aug 28 | A recent poll conducted by the Gay news & blog site 365gay regarding the overall perception of treatment of LGBT youth by Gay elders had some telling results:
Do you think issues dealing with gay youth are overlooked?
- Yes. I think gay youth do not get the attention they need. (97.0%, 1,579 Votes)
- No. I think there are great organizations that are helping these kids out. (2.0%, 33 Votes)
- Not sure. (1.0%, 17 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,627
Now, it can be argued that such a small group of participants does not accurately portray the Gay community as a whole due to the fraction represented by the poll's respondents. However, I have found that in discussions with LGBT youth, ranging in age from 17 to 27, there is a perception that not enough resources and information is available or offered to LGBT youth.
By far the largest complaint was that "coming-out" topics were not accessible enough as to be of real assistance to struggling LGBT youth in the mostly mainstream environments that they live in daily. There seems to be the impression that LGBT organizations do not offer substantial enough support in settings such as high schools and community centers or in public libraries. Retail merchants, such as Barnes & Noble or Borders Books have slim selections of LGBT topics in general and carry titles that reflect the tastes of older adults with the topics pertaining to health & mental well being also geared at adult readership.
I find that the media is also a barren resource as the majority of articles, newscasts, and similar tend to deal with the hyped coverage or sensationalize news events, ie; 'gay bashing,' without offering another perspective, those organizations that are attempting to assist the LGBT youth.
I find that the media is also a barren resource as the majority of articles, newscasts, and similar tend to deal with the hyped coverage or sensationalize news events, ie; 'gay bashing,' without offering another perspective, those organizations that are attempting to assist the LGBT youth.
Yes, there is obviously the web. But, I would point out that in many cases, a "human" touch and guidance to a young person is a much more valuable resource than a computer.
My argument is that the referenced poll is valid and this issue needs immediate attention and consideration as its an issue that affects all of us.
My argument is that the referenced poll is valid and this issue needs immediate attention and consideration as its an issue that affects all of us.
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2 comments:
This poll interests me, Brody. I have set up an exact mirror on a well known gay story site on the home page to see if a different catchment area alters the results.
While that site is not as popular as the site the poll you quote was on, it does receive some 1,500 visitors each day, accordoing to the site stats, and thus shoudl be able to provide a decent statistical sample.
What may interest your readers, Brody, is not the poll per se, interesting as it is in isolation, but the discussion that is starting on my forum based around the poll.
Since all are welcome at the forum it's perfectly valid for your readers who wish to make a comment to comment there, or here, of in both places.
One thing that seems to be apparent is that, while the UK seems to be a more free and open place than the USA (comment based on talking to many people globally, not on actual data), the UK is way behind the USA in support organisations. I am thinking particularly of PFLAG in the USA and several other nations, bit not in the UK
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