As a volunteer of SMYRC (Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center) it was never my intention to be so profoundly changed, nor grow from the lessons the youth teach me. Yet it is through the simple act of listening that I am regaining hope in the future.
We are so clueless as LGBT adults about the needs of our youth. One youth eloquently stated our current dilemma as a community, "queer 14 year olds don't know where to go, and queer 30 year olds don't know what to do."
A generation of queer adults was wiped out of the face of the earth by equal parts disease and indifference. For better or worse we, the 30 year old queers, need to figure out what to do in order to survive, thrive, and lead.
It is so easy to not pay attention to queer youth and their problems while we worry about our own existential dramas. Yet, if we don't grow up, shape up, and step up to the challenge of being the caring adults for queer youth then how will we develop as a community?
It is time to break away from the negative stereo types and pay attention to both the youth and the elders of our community. They need us, and we need them.
Over the next few weeks, we will continue to have interesting conversations with queer youth to discover more pearls of wisdom.
I invite both youth and adults to engage each other in conversations that honor and respect our experiences.
The youth are truly creating a revolution, THE SMYRC REVOLUTION!
Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) Creating safety and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth in Oregon since 1998, through youth empowerment, community building, education and direct services. SMYRC makes a difference. Phone: 503-872-9664, fax: 503-231-3051, e-mail: info@smyrc.org 2100 SE Belmont St Portland, OR 97214 The Center is Open W,F, & Saturdays from 4 PM to 9 PM.
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