Vulnerability, isolation, being bullied, feeling less valued as a person are problems often faced by young gay people in Northern Ireland today.
| Young gay people are being denied sex education at school. |
Despite the opposition many young gay people encounter at home, at school and at work an increasing number are determined not to hide in the closet.
"People still have a lack of understanding and I think they are scared of gay youth," said 17 year old Robert.
Two years ago when Robert told his best male friend that he fancied other boys he was given a hug and offered firm support and friendship. But he didn't tell anyone else at school because he was too scared of other pupils' and teachers' reactions.
According to a 1999 survey carried out by the male gay health organisation Rainbow Project, 64 % of gay men who faced bullying in school considered suicide. Robert waited until he was about to leave home before he told his mum he was gay.
Last year he told his dad. "He didn't have so much of a problem with it because he always knew, I think. But if I were to go back I would do things differently and tell them in a much different way."
Youth Project officer Sinead Collins of Cara Friend, a lesbian and gay help-line, which also offer information, advice and counselling said society in Northern Ireland is slowly becoming more tolerant of homosexuality.
"I know that it is slightly more acceptable now than five or 10 years ago but I think we have a wee while to go yet, " she said. "I think men feel threatened by gay men because their masculinity is threatened, again it is back to fear and ignorance. Also young men can face violence, young women can too but I do think that it might be slightly harder for gay men in Northern Ireland," she said.
"We live in a very heterosexual environment. Sex education, if people are getting any, is very much based on male/female relationships, there is no mention that some-one in the classroom might be gay, " she said. She added "one in seven or one in ten people are lesbian or gay, so in a classroom of 30 take it that two or three are gay. They are automatically being isolated when male and female relationships are being talked about, the word gay is not brought into it."
Young gay people are being denied sex education at school and heterosexual pupils are getting the message that there is something wrong with being gay, Collins said. "The most derogatory term at the minute is to say that he is gay, a faggot, a poof, a queer or a bisexual, it is almost like a swear word," she said and added, "this is isolating young people who are gay and these attitudes must be challenged."
Robert agreed. Current legislation, such as Section 28, prevents local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality in schools. And maintaining the homosexual age for sexual consent at 18 reinforces these prejudices, he said.
"We are still being treated as children, whereas the heterosexual community is being treated as adults. We are being told that we are not allowed to be sexually active at 17 but if you are straight you are," said Robert. "I think the biggest problem we face is the whole matter of equality and discrimination," he added.
According to Duane Farrell of the Rainbow Project, "the Good Friday Agreement offers huge advantages for members of our community, specifically in relation to the mainstreaming of equality and that people can't discriminate." But he admits it will take time for the effect of the legislation to be felt.
Paul Bloomer, a 17 year old gay youth revealed his sexual preferences at school when he was 14. He believes society in Northern Ireland treats non-heterosexuals badly because of "ignorance and bigotry."
"My friends were great about it but I had a very bad reaction from most of my peers. It did result in bullying in school. My mum and dad are ok about it but I'm sure they would rather have me being straight," Paul said. Paul believes that the political atmosphere that has dominated in Northern Ireland has impacted negatively on discussion of homosexual rights.
"In England it is talked about, it is openly discussed but over here it's very frowned upon," he added.
About the team
This article was produced by editor Colin Moore, 17, and reporter Amy Magowan-Greene, 12. It was published in Scope magazine.
