Yesterday, The New York Times Magazine posted a sneak peak at a great article from this Sunday's edition showing a younger, and often overlooked segment of LGBT youth. Profiling kids as young as twelve, the article features a spattering of middle school students trying to deal with their sexual identity, and the parents and teachers who are trying to figure out what that even means.
Now let’s face it, not many of us even thought about coming out in middle school. Ever. The closest I came to coming out in middle school was thinking about auditioning for the class musical (I ultimately decided against it when I saw the sets were made of cardboard). But coming out before high school is happening more and more frequently — and in places like Oklahoma,no less.
Unfortunately, the article clearly points out that not many of those schools were prepared for the arrival of GLBT pre-teens. As the author, Benoit Denizet-Lewis, asserts, “middle school is more survival than learning” and with all the trials of middle school, who would even want to come out? Over 80% of gay teenagers report harassment or taunting at school, sometimes in front of teachers who do little (if anything) to stop it."
But not to be deterred, the heart of the story highlights the gay teens who have daringly declared themselves out to the world. The formation of over 4,000 Gay-Straight Alliances and events such as the National Day of Silence show a new generation of gay youth that’s not afraid of what the world has to offer, or what they have to offer it. This is a generation more concerned about what their parents will think of their same-sex boyfriend than what their parents think about having a gay son.
Give it a read. At nine pages it’s a bit lengthy, but with definite gems. The conversation about “paws” and “woofs” will have you LOLing, and the ending bit about a kid named Austin and his dad going to Chicago Pride will tug at your heartstrings. All in all, an excellent look at just how much the times are changing for GLBT youth.
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Thanks for highlighting an often overlooked part of the LGBT community. Youth coming out so young are often much more reliant on parents, teachers and other adult allies to help protect and guide them. They are also even more vulnerable to bullying and violence. I think we all could use some reminding that the LGBT community is not made up of just adults. The very youngest members of our community need protecting and someone to stand up for them, too.
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