Opening the Doors

Working with gay, lesbian, bi-sexual & transgender young people

Overview of the needs & issues

Young gays and lesbians grow up in a society where the prevailing culture is predominately heterosexual.

TV, films, magazines, newspapers, manuals and popular music generally promote a view that heterosexuality is the only acceptable form of sexuality, or at least the assumed form of sexuality. 1

Both heterosexism and homophobia are common in our society.

Heterosexism is a term used to describe a belief system that does not value gay and lesbian lifestyles equally with heterosexual lifestyles.

Homophobia is a term used to describe fear or intolerance of homosexuality.

Young people who become aware that they are gay or lesbian can experience their adolescence as a confusing time, as they try to make sense of their feelings and how they fit into mainstream society.

Some young people are aware of these feelings at quite a young age, while some people don't come to this awareness until much later in life. 8, 10

Many gays and lesbians decide to "come out", that is openly identify as gay or lesbian.

It is important to remember that not all young people who experience feelings of attraction for the same or both sexes have come out. They may have told no one about their feelings or perhaps only one or two trusted people.

In an Australian survey of 748 gay and lesbian young people aged 14-21 years it was revealed that 1 in 5 had not told anyone about their sexuality, 28% had told their mothers and only 16% had told their fathers. Friends were the most likely to be told. 9

Many young people question their sexuality during adolescence. This is a normal part of adolescent development. Just because someone is experiencing a same sex attraction does not mean that they will identify as gay or lesbian.

The way that you generally talk to young people you work with about sexual identity can help young gays and lesbians feel accepted, or it can reinforce a message that they are different. For example, it is better to ask a young person "have you got a partner" or "have you got someone special in your life?" rather than ask "have you got a boyfriend?' or "have you got a girlfriend?".

Start with the assumption that some of the young people you work with will be gay or lesbian and that some of these young people may not have come out or be ready to discuss their sexuality with you.

Young gays and lesbians may experience a strong sense of isolation because everyone they know appears to be heterosexual. Questions from family and friends about future plans for marriage or children can reinforce these feelings of isolation. 8, 9

Our society places strong expectations on young people about appropriate gender roles and behaviour. Many young people, such as young people who are transgender, can feel strong pressure from family, friends and the wider community to adopt these roles and behaviours.

Some gay and lesbian young people may feel angry at themselves for their orientation or even hate themselves. They may withdraw from their friends, family or school to avoid real or perceived rejection and turn to drugs or alcohol in order to cope with how they are feeling. 9, 10, 15

Depression, self-harm, suicide and homelessness is significantly higher among young gays and lesbians than the general youth population. 10, 15

There are a number of Australian laws which do not recognise the de facto relationships of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. This include access to pensions and superannuation, taxation and social security and the right to marriage. 17          

Many gay and lesbian young people do not feel safe enough to openly express affection for their partner in public (such as holding hands) because they fear discrimination, harassment and violence from the public.

An Australian study of lesbians and gay men fund that 70% had experienced physical abuse, threats of violence or verbal abuse in a public place. 11% of females and 20% of males reported being assaulted. 12

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