It's GLBT History Month, and Outlet is proud to celebrate by highlighting a different icon throughout October. Look for the video on the right side of this blog to learn more about influential people from the GLBT community. Check back daily!
Don't forget, October 11 is National Coming Out Day.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Outlet and Marriage!
Wow, what an amazing week! Outlet had it's 11th annual fund raiser last Thursday May 8th and then a week later the CA gays are getting married!! I can hardly stand it!
Out to Eat was great. The decorations were fun, everyone had a really nice time, we had Jennifer Beisty from Top Chef there and the dessert was fabulous as usual. Our youth leaders and other youth speakers were awesome as well. Out to Eat is the gay party on the Peninsula! Check out some of our pics ...
We'll add more later on as we get them.
Thank you to all our supporters!!!!
Out to Eat was great. The decorations were fun, everyone had a really nice time, we had Jennifer Beisty from Top Chef there and the dessert was fabulous as usual. Our youth leaders and other youth speakers were awesome as well. Out to Eat is the gay party on the Peninsula! Check out some of our pics ...
We'll add more later on as we get them.Thank you to all our supporters!!!!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Mixed Messages?
If you have not seen this article in the Advocate, you might want to check it out. Mixed Messages
starts out like this...
" Weeks before he was brazenly killed by his teenage crush, 15-year-old Lawrence King was encouraged to be himself. Did that lesson help send him to his grave?"
I was a bit disturbed by the way this article was written. I don't think it's the right question to ask and I think it's divisive in a community that already struggles with that anyway. People should be able to express who they are without having to worry about being teased, let alone killed for it! Of course we should be out and proud.
On the other hand, with reality the way it is in the public schools these days, we do have to consider all the possibilities too. Safety is always a first thought - at least that is how Outlet staff advises youth who ask about how to come out to their parents. We always say "first consider how your parents will react. If there is any chance that they will physically hurt you, kick you out, or cut you off financially, then you might want to hold off until you are more independent of them." If that is not the case, then by all means, do what feels comfortable and right for you. And we will provide resources and support. Being out and being who you are is vital to your emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Now, coming out to your parents and being out at school are two different situations. And that is what is comes down to - specific situations. There is no clear cut rule about whether to be out or not. It's about situations. And in the CA public schools, the law protects students based on religion, race, ethnicity, ability, gender as well as sexual orientation. It is the school's job to protect all students. Its not responsible to tell a student to hide a big part of who they are because it makes others uncomfortable.
What do you all think? After you read the article, let us know your thoughts. There are follow up letters to the Advocate about this article that you can find here:
In Response to "Mixed Messages" and Open Letter to the Advocate
starts out like this...
" Weeks before he was brazenly killed by his teenage crush, 15-year-old Lawrence King was encouraged to be himself. Did that lesson help send him to his grave?"
I was a bit disturbed by the way this article was written. I don't think it's the right question to ask and I think it's divisive in a community that already struggles with that anyway. People should be able to express who they are without having to worry about being teased, let alone killed for it! Of course we should be out and proud.
On the other hand, with reality the way it is in the public schools these days, we do have to consider all the possibilities too. Safety is always a first thought - at least that is how Outlet staff advises youth who ask about how to come out to their parents. We always say "first consider how your parents will react. If there is any chance that they will physically hurt you, kick you out, or cut you off financially, then you might want to hold off until you are more independent of them." If that is not the case, then by all means, do what feels comfortable and right for you. And we will provide resources and support. Being out and being who you are is vital to your emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Now, coming out to your parents and being out at school are two different situations. And that is what is comes down to - specific situations. There is no clear cut rule about whether to be out or not. It's about situations. And in the CA public schools, the law protects students based on religion, race, ethnicity, ability, gender as well as sexual orientation. It is the school's job to protect all students. Its not responsible to tell a student to hide a big part of who they are because it makes others uncomfortable.
What do you all think? After you read the article, let us know your thoughts. There are follow up letters to the Advocate about this article that you can find here:
In Response to "Mixed Messages" and Open Letter to the Advocate
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