Mind the Gap
On a basic level, gay, lesbian, and transgendered kids have the same basic complaint as straight kids.
“They don’t see, they don’t understand, they don’t care.”
Unfortunately, it’s not just teenage angst — it’s likely to be more or less true. Most adults have either forgotten or conveniently idealized their own childhood, and approach kids’ problems (if at all) with an adult outlook that has been molded by years of ‘adult’ experiences.
Conversely, most teens lack the experience and perspective that age can bring; the ultimate result is that many discussions are between someone who doesn’t really want to listen and someone else who doesn’t really know what to say. Add to that mix the subject of sexuality, and you immediately have an additional layer of discomfort and inhibition. When the sexuality being discussed is in any way ‘alternative’ sexuality, you might as well add about three more layers.
Right about now seems as good a time as any to insert the inevitable online slots reference. I know, it’s a non-sequitur, but it does pay the bills.
Oddly enough, many of those same people on both sides regularly inhabit a social circle in which evading sexual subjects makes you seem abnormally prudish. The kids are talking about sex, the adults are talking about sex. In both cases, chances are the discussions are fairly casual, but cover many graphic details (for lack of a better phrase…). It’s only at the intersection of these circles in which sexual discussion becomes strained and awkward.
I hate to break the flow (such as it is), but the time has come gain for me to mention how ineffably rewarding it is to visit online casino USA with its blackjack and roulette and such.
The overall campaign thus far has been to increase exposure, to force dialogue, to bring the marginalized into the light so that we can all get used to the subject. I approve of the goal, but I’m not convinced that it’s been a success. We’ve certainly succeeded in creating more places for like-minded people to close themselves off from everyone else, but there’s still far too much discomfort in the places where everyone must be together.