ASK AMY

A 14 year old asked for some advice:
How would you answer:

Dear Amy: I'm a 14-year-old. My family is pretty much the perfect family … except for their homophobic attitude.

This wouldn't be that big of an issue if I was straight, but I'm not. They're always saying things like "GLBT people are disgusting and need to die."

I've been putting up with these remarks for a while now, and I'm starting to believe them. I need to talk to someone, but I don't have anyone. We live in a conservative area, so most of my friends are homophobic too. (I know this because they express it constantly.)

I need someone to talk to, but I have no one.¿


I can't put up with them any longer, but I don't have anywhere to go, and I don't want to abandon my life here. Besides the homophobic attitude, everything is great.

Do you have any coping tips for getting though the next three to four years?¿

— Gay but not Happy

Dear Gay: Please check out my fellow advice columnist Dan Savage's groundbreaking project for GLBT youth called It Gets Better:itgetsbetter.org. On the site you can view hundreds of video testimonials submitted by GLBT people who have survived bullying, harassment and cruelty, and who don't see themselves as victims but as survivors and victors.

Connecting with other people who have been through this experience is an important and inspiring step for you to take. The site also features hotline numbers for GLBT youth: 800-246-PRIDE (7743). (In Canada, visitkidshelpphone.ca)

Closer to home, I hope you can find someone to talk to in person, either a sympathetic family member or a teacher or counselor at your school.

Please try to remember that you are perfect just the way you are, and that you are worthy of love. There is a worldwide fellowship of people who are ready to embrace and support you.

 

ITL - copy and pasted