I often have discussion with my kids about their gay family members and friends and how they should be non judgemental and loving. I know that there are many resources for kids who have gay parents. But is there anything out there for the kids who have come from a Christian background for support and infomation to assist for this age group?

I am not sure whether I have been articulate enough in my request, but please feel free to ask questions if you are unsure of anything.

Gay friendly information for straight kids from Christian backgrounds. LOL I am making it so complicated aren’t I? Sorry

Hi Happy precious…….you could try contacting Vicki Harding http://www.samesame.com.au/25/2007/VickiHarding she was one of the people voted one of 25 most influential gay and lesbian Australians….the first year I was.

here is the website about her books http://www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include/

whilst for a general audience…….they dont tackle things for a christian audience specificallly.

she is also one of my friends on facebook……you could befriend her and introduce yourself and ask what she knows about. there maybe something in the US or UK.

you will also find vicki amongst my friends on facebook

lots to do

Hi mrg

Thanks for bringing this up. It’s lovely that your young people are wanting to support their gay friends and that you are looking for pointers to help them.

After pondering about this (and it will be good to get feedback from Ben and our other young people here too), I think that young gay people need and want the same things their peers do. So the ‘Love others as you do yourself’ is a good guide. I believe we all need to feel safe, trusted and trustworthy, have physical shelter, food, warmth, a sense of belonging and ability to relate freely with others, to be loved and cherished and to reciprocate same, able to contribute to society and find meaning and purpose. We want to learn and be able to express our giftings, including spiritual ones, especially when in a faith community, and be encouraged to do so. That’s a basic start and if anyone’s interested, I’ve referred to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs when reflecting on all our various needs. His model is a triangle with the most basic physical needs at the bottom, suggesting that until we first meet those, it’s difficult to progress to more spiritual pursuits. This can be true in poor communities or at least some I’ve experienced in my travels. In one low socioeconomic part of London, sexual health education was the least concern to those who couldn’t put enough food on the table and who had little respect for our ‘white’ culture trying to educate them.

Maslow also said that unless we are true to ourselves we will never be happy. That’s something to consider..

Hope that’s helpful.

Blessings to you,

Ann Maree

Happyprecious,

I would recommend a number of avenues and groups to look towards for support, information and even discussion:

* The best starting point for anyone in any state is to look up their local Aids Council… from there you will find links to numerous resources and support groups.

i.e. in the A.C.T. the Aids Action Council website has a youth website … Qnet which provides resources for young people

* Youth groups for QLBTI are not usually exclusive …. they are usually open for those young gay people to bring friends who want to be supportive and learn more. It would be wise however to just check with the group first.

* PFLAG is about Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays … they are about learning , sharing and providing support for those that have GLBTI family & friends and can again be found via an internet search.

* ‘Through their eyes’ is a DVD available on-line from the Gay Christian Network. It is an excellent DVD providing personal stories about christian youth coming out and their coming to terms with their religion, feelings and sexuality.

* ‘Writing themselves in” is a national survey about Sam-Sex attracted youth in Australia. It is mentioned else where in the FTB forums as it is currently being conducted again to be updated. This is an excellent resource document

* Check the websites of GLBTI bookstores such as ‘The Bookstore” in Sydney to find out what books & resources they have for youngsters.

I hope that some of the above will help you in your quest.

Kind Regards,

Dee