I love this website because it’s got so many links to OTHER websites! Gay teens often have a hard time finding good information and this site is reliable, safe, and drama-free. To me, that’s pretty close to perfect.

Check it out: http://gayteens.about.com/

Daniel Radcliffe, of Harry Potter fame, has recorded a public service announcement for gay youth suicide prevention with The Trevor Project.

According to this article, Radcliffe says, “I just loathe homophobia. It’s just disgusting and animal and stupid and it’s just thick people who can’t get their heads around it and are just scared…I grew up around gay people entirely. I was the only child in my class who had any experience of homosexuality or anything like that.”

Further, “Radcliffe first became aware of The Trevor Project, founded in 1998 by three filmmakers, while he was appearing on Broadway in the 2008 revival of “Equus.” Their movie, “Trevor,” which won an Academy Award for best short film, concerned a gay teen who attempts suicide. The Trevor Project allows young people to call in for counseling or just to talk.”

The announcement is scheduled to appear this spring.

Hi all ~ Margit Crane back again!

I thought I’d share this link with you from www.AfterElton.com .  It’s a list of articles that refer to Gay and Bisexual teens in movies and TV shows.

Enjoy!

Good Morning (at least for me!)  ~ Margit Crane back again ~

I just finished reading “Geography Club” by Brent Hartinger.  The title refers to the after-school club that 5 gay/bisexual students form so that they can “publicly” meet to discuss their thoughts and concerns about being gay…and closeted.  And it’s about first love, both hetero- and homosexual, and about friendships and forgiveness and standing up for who you are, no matter who you are.

When I was a high school teacher - at a very conservative high school - I offered to sponsor a Gay-Straight Alliance.  I was told that that wouldn’t go over well in my district and that (believe it or not) the club would need to be more secretive than that.  They (adults whom I won’t identify) even said that it would need to be hidden from the Principal (!) not because he would disapprove (he wouldn’t) but because he shouldn’t have to be subjected to the backlash from parents. 

I talked to a group of gay kids at the school and they said they’d talk it up around the school. In the end, they decided against it because they were afraid that they would be discovered.  Some of them were in drama and felt safe with that group, which always has a higher “tolerance” for unique people.

Every other high school in my district had a Gay-Straight Alliance, an open group of students - gay and straight - who met once a wwek to discuss feelings and issues, and to raise awareness and tolerance in the greater community.  My school, however, was too conservative for that.  Needless to say, it made me feel sad.

Gay teens have a MUCH HIGHER SUICIDE RATE than straight teens.  Feeling isolated, especially during adolescence when everything seems SO BIG and SO IMPORTANT is a terrible burden on anyone.  We need to support ALL our kids, not just the ones who look like we want them to or act like we want them to.  This is about saving our kids, our families, and the world.

Check out “Geography Club.”  It’s an easy, enjoyable, and important read.

 Good Day!  Margit Crane here ~

I’m so happy that America Ferrara from “Ugly Betty” has won an Emmy.  I love this show.  I love how real the Suarez family is (in spite of the soap opera context) and I love the other relationships too -  the good, the unrequited, the smarmy, the witchy.

But Betty herself is breaking down stereotypes right and left.  The funny looking girl with a heart of gold and a quick mind.  Betty rocks.

Here’s what America Ferrara said upon receiving her award:  “I’m so happy and humbled to be on a show that’s not only fun … but is making a difference and inspiring people and changing the way we look at prejudice and diversity.”

One of the ways “Ugly Betty” is addressing stereotypes is with the character of the tween/young teen, Justin, played by Mark Indelicato.  While never announcing this directly, it would seem that Justin is a young gay teenager.  It’s insinuated strongly, let’s say, through his love of fashion and musicals and in episodes where his father is concerned about whether he’ll get beaten up for being different.  Justin is a delightful character, perhaps my favorite, and I love the way his family loves him and embraces everything about him.  It just warms my heart.  And Mark Indelicato is a little cutie.

This is ensemble television at its best.

Check it out Thursday nights on ABC.  You can also view episodes online at http://www.abc.go.com