What do queer youth care about in 2011? We invited a bunch of younger members of the community to share their thoughts under the mask of anonymity.
How would you describe yourself?
Queer // Gay, Proud, Out, Happy – I’m comfortable in my own skin // I’m gay, homo, fag, poof, queen, queer // Bold and carefree – but insecure sometimes // Gay queer twink // Queer, fluid // Gay, homosexual
What was it like coming out?
I told my Dad to get out of being grounded for wagging school at 15, it worked // it’s a long process, coming out is all about us and how we feel about ourselves // During leavers, friends have respected me for being honest, I haven’t come out to family // I was so nervous, and it wasn’t that bad // it was no big deal // Not as scary as I thought, my parents were rather understanding // I’ve come out to my friends, it was scary, exciting and hard // I was 16, it was a weight off my shoulders
What was school like being gay?
Soul destroying // Everyone knew I was gay but I denied it every time, being in a catholic school it wasn’t acceptable, I even dated girls to convince others // I was bullied, sexually harassed, beaten up, threatened with violence, rape and death // Awful, trying to work out why I was different, trying to fit in // Fabulous! As the biggest queer around I got special access to all the performing arts opportunities // I went to a religious school, so I was going to hell // Awful, I lost a lot of friends // Nobody knew until year 12 when I had a boyfriend and then I only told three people
Have you experienced bullying?
I was called a fag // I never got bullied about sexuality, being confident, proud and honest sends out a vibe that discourages bullying // I never really got a lot of bullying, until I was with my boyfriend and then it was just things like being called faggots // I was called the usual names faggot, poo pusher, poofter // I was called a fag // fag, douche , fucked up , loner // I was called a freak, people threw things and spat on me
Do we need gay venues in 2011?
Without gay venues I think we would suffer more, when the weekend comes it’s good to know there is somewhere I can go and have fun and fit in 100% // It’s important when you want a night out with the people you love // Yes, and they need to be LGB and T friendly // We need safe spaces to politically and socially organise // Gay venues are community, it brings us together and eliminates the ‘back street alley’ gay // the idea of gay venue is outdated and unhelpful, in 2011 we should be celebrating diversity in all venues // Yes, but only ones that support the community
What are your parents like?
My Mum snuck me into The Court when I was 15 // My parents are old school, if I told them I was gay there would be World War III // My parents support my sexuality and gender identity, even though they don’t really understand it // Religious and homophobic, but lovely and supportive // They always listen and having interesting views on things // My mother taught me how to love, my father taught me to be strong // Not good at understanding, outdated morals and beliefs that they are unwilling to change
What does the gay community mean to you?
It means everything to me, it where I belong and where I discovered myself // It’s an idea that shouldn’t be relevant in 2011 and I believe becoming so // Community is family, but gay is becoming a sexuality, not a lifestyle anymore, it’s sad // A sense of place and belonging, community means looking after each other // gay people coming together with understanding and acceptance
What is the ‘scene’?
It’s my home // a group of people who may not necessarily be active in the community but are active in the queer club nightlife // The scene is obnoxious // people who are well known in the gay community – whether it’s for good or bad things // bitch, bitch, bitch – look at me, I’m plastic // what scene, at University it’s dead – but in the city it’s visible // the scene is the 18+ cool kids known for their bitchiness
What can older community members do for you?
Accept change be supportive of the community as it is today // If they have some money they can open some more queer bars // Older members should pave the way for the young, they have the resources to make a difference // We need more mentors // try not to hit on us // keep the youth interested in the community
Do you support a political party, what issues matter?
The Greens and Rainbow Labor, we should be moving forward and accepting that the world is changing// I don’t support a political party, but equality is important // Politics has never interested me, I’m easy going, I’ll go with the flow // I never really follow politics //I joined the Greens, universal access to education // I support the Greens and their issues // The Greens, not killing our planet // The Greens, we need better queer education in schools and a national human rights act
When did you first have sex?
I was 16 // None of your business // Anal in the back of the car after theatre rehearsals // With my first and only proper boyfriend at 18 // I’m a virgin // I first had sex with a straight guy // I was 15 // When I was 16
Do you always have safe sex?
Yes and no, when I’m in a relationship I stop using condoms // If I had sex, I would always have safe sex // Yes // I always have safe sex, but I’m concerned that too many young people don’t get the message // most of the time // Nope, every third time I might not use a condom // Sometimes at first, then I may not.
OUTinPerth thanks all participants in our youth forum for sharing their thoughts and experiences, the responses have been jumbled and mixed about and are presented as an overview of youth thoughts. The stories shared are not those of the models in this story.
Graeme Watson
