What your peers are saying about the Rainbow Youth, York Region • This group provided me with a perspective I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t come • There is nothing wrong with me and now I accept myself … I am lucky • I realize I don’t have a problem, it’s the attitude of others that is the problem • I am able to find out a lot more about people in my community • Coming to this group has made my family stronger and I love my parents more • I feel more like an individual … I don’t have to be like everyone else • I’m not sure whether I’m there yet, but I feel challenged to feel proud • My family and friends are more accepting in general • I feel more like me and I feel my family is closer now • I’m proud to be myself and strong enough to accept myself • I am happy, just ‘cause that’s the way I am • Rainbow Youth helps make people aware there is sexual diversity • The group environment understands and relates to every experience and loves everybody • I can be true to myself and honest with others at Rainbow Youth • If I didn’t come, I wouldn’t have met all these great people • Being accepting of myself and that others don’t have the same experience • I can see both sides of the issue and it motivates me to make us (gays) stronger Do you know where your teenager was last night? I wasn't out getting into trouble. I was at the Rainbow Youth , York Region Support Group. (Does that shock you?) I hate lying about where I am but it feels so good knowing I'm not alone. The counsellor says I'm such a fine caring young person, full of integrity. She says I've really blossomed in the group. No one else knows I'm gay and here is somewhere I can be myself. It takes so much energy to hide it at home and school. Last night, I told them I just can't live the lie anymore and maybe it's time to tell you. The group worried about what would happen to me if I told you, but you see, I can live with who I am and be proud. It's you I worry about. Will you feel I've failed you? Will the rest of the family reject our family? I love my family and want us to stay together. I just know I can't live a lie anymore. You see it's not a choice. It's who I am and the only choice is whether to be true to myself. You've worked so hard to raise me to be someone you can be proud of. I'm gay! There it's out and it feels so good to say it. But, I need your unconditional love too. Please, please, please give me a sign it's ok to tell you. Please tell me you love me whether I'm gay or straight. You do love me ... don't you? Do You Know Me? Do you know me? I'm invisible. I spend a lot of energy being silent, for fear of being harassed. I may be just one of the regular kids but I could be abusing substances, getting into risky behaviours, over or under achieving, dropping out or being depressed and thinking of suicide. My family could be supportive or I could be at risk of homelessness. Maybe one or two friends know or maybe the secret is all mine.. Twice a month on Monday nights, I attend the Rainbow Youth York Region Support Group. There I can just be myself, connect with others and discuss my issues. I wish I could be like some of the others who are "out" to everyone. You may not recognize me as. I don't fit the stereotypes. If you just interrupt the "you're so gay" type comments or mention the author is gay, I will feel a little more accepted. This is about who I am! It doesn't take much. Please, please, please just take a small step. Maybe someday I won't have to be invisible in this school any more. Do you know me? hey did u hear me I think u went to my school did u ever stand up for me when you saw them beat me down shred me to pieces and instigate my tears hey did u see me when I ran from them beating me when they chased me down the street off of their public property yelling fag in the background shooting flames at my frail body hey could u smell me my blood when it was dripping from their slashes to my heart or from that scrape I gave myself with a vegetable peeler hey did you see them thinkin they're all fly and she's all that and I ain't worth it but I am do ya hear me I have style, I have flare I have pride, I have grace I am not just a pretty face that is putty in your hands you can't just live and expect me not to seek out foreign lands you may be mystifying and you may spellbind me but I need to be somewhere where I can walk with dignity so don't pretend that you can just leave me and walk away and sign and fade and dance and sway away from the moonlight because the stars simply kiss me and not you maybe next time you will think before you talk think before you act listen before you play and taunt and one day maybe you'll see the stars in my eyes and if you act properly maybe you'll see them twinkle