APPENDIX SEVEN

REACHING OUT: A Report On Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Youth Issues In Canada -
Prepared for the United Church of Canada - by John Fisher, Executive Director, EGALE

SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to examine some of the obstacles facing young lesbians, gays and bisexuals, and to identify concrete means to support lesbian, gay and bisexual youth by reducing some of these barriers.

The problems faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual, youth include a lack of self esteem, feelings of isolation, a high risk of parental rejection, peer abuse, homelessness, school dropout, drug abuse, suicide, unsafe sexual behaviour and prostitution.

Many of these problems are interrelated, and stem from an absence of positive role models and the lack of value which is often attached to the lives of lesbians, gays and bisexuals - both by society in general, and by youth themselves.

The most tragic consequence of lack of acceptance is the disproportionately high rate of suicide and attempted suicide for young lesbians, gays and bisexuals. Key factors linked with increased suicide rates include feelings of isolation, and low self-esteem.

Young people coming to terms with their sexual orientation may find themselves torn between "coming out" as lesbian, gay or bisexual, and risking rejection, discrimination and abuse, or concealing their same-sex identity and feelings, leading to loneliness, alienation and shame. Lesbian, gay or bisexual youth of colour may find these difficulties compounded by racism within the lesbian, gay or bisexual communities, and homophobia within their own ethno-cultural communities. Similarly, the difficulties faced by lesbians or transgendered youth are likely to be exacerbated by sexism and societal intolerance of those who do not fit within perceived gender norms.

In addition to the absence of positive role models, it can be difficult for many young lesbians, gays and bisexuals to access the resources they need to find answers to their questions. Professionals, teachers, clergy, counsellors and others may have insufficient information or awareness of the issues, and may display attitudes which cause young people to feel judged or rejected. In some cases, schools have gone farther, actively banning the use of lesbian or gay-positive resource materials. In one recent case, however, a British Columbia Court overturned a School Board's attempt to ban lesbian, gay and bisexual books and resource materials.

Access to information is particularly important in the area of safer-sex education. For many years, depictions of anal sex were deemed obscene by Canada Customs, even in safer-sex educational materials, and information which could have saved lives was suppressed. Difficulties have been encountered in schools seeking to provide factual information about safer-sex practices.

Despite these difficulties, a much greater variety of information and resources dealing with lesbian, gay and bisexual issues is now available, however. The Internet serves as a powerful tool for young people to find information about lesbian, gay and bisexual issues, although "filtering software" is used by some schools, libraries and parents to block access to sites deemed "undesirable".

Proactive steps need to be taken by adults, educators and others to ensure that policies are in place to protect young people from harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation. To ensure that these policies go beyond mere tokenism, it is important that they be accompanied by education programs designed to inform others about their purpose, and it is important also that they be enforced effectively. Adults need to speak out against inappropriate language and behaviours, and take care to ensure that their own language does not subtly suggest that heterosexuality is the only acceptable norm. Inclusive use of pronouns and positive affirmation of an awareness of lesbian, gay and bisexual issues can go a long way towards creating an atmosphere of acceptance and respect.

The prominent display of posters and brochures also helps to give visibility to the issues, reassure lesbian, gay and bisexual youth that they are not alone, and educate heterosexuals about homosexuality. Lesbian and gay-themed workshops, discussion groups, guest speakers and social activities can all help to raise the general level of awareness of these issues, and make young lesbians, gays and bisexuals feel welcomed.

School curricula often exclude references to homosexuality in areas where it is directly relevant such as discussions of sexuality, family life and human rights. In addition, lesbians, gays and bisexuals are frequently ignored within the broader school curriculum in subjects such as history, literature and arts where, for example, a heterosexual author's life and relationships would be considered relevant to a study of his or her work.

The treatment of same-sex partners is another area which has a significant impact upon the school, workplace or social environment. Young people will have partners of their own, who need to be welcomed and respected. They may have lesbian or gay parents, whose same-sex partners are not always accorded the status and respect that an opposite-sex partner would receive. In addition, if same-sex benefits are not available to staff and others on an equal basis, a negative message is communicated to everyone involved that lesbians, gays and bisexuals are seen as less worthy of consideration and respect.

Legal discrimination persists in other areas, including a higher age of consent for anal sex (18) than for other forms of sexual activity (14), although the unequal age of consent has been successfully challenged in some provinces. The unequal age of consent has also hampered efforts by safe-sex educators to provide materials to young people, since the materials may be seen as promoting behaviour which is classified as criminal.

Fortunately, there are increasingly more programs, workshops, materials and support structures now available to lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. The effectiveness of these programs can be increased by ensuring that youth themselves are involved in developing, implementing and maintaining the programs. Peer educators are considered to be as effective as adult educators, and often better able to identify with and communicate with their audience. While it is important that young lesbians, gays and bisexuals have a realistic appreciation of the obstacles, they should also be made aware of the significant opportunities, support and resources which exists to enable them to look forward to a future filled with promise.

The report concludes with a number of recommendations for change to help create a more welcoming environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth.

2 Ann Thompson Cook. "Issues Paper, Respect all Youth Project". Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (1991).

3 Cited in Dwyer & Farran, "Fighting Homophobia at school", Maclean's (May, 1997).

4 Gay and Lesbian Educators of BC. "Counselling Lesbian and Gay Youth", (1996) at 1.

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