LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Gay Men's Health Project: Helping Self-Esteem |
by Sal Seeley |
Try to imagine yourself as a young person going through the emotional turmoil of puberty. Add to this the feelings of being different, or actually being attracted to people of the same sex. All your life you have been told that gay men are perverted and are the object of ridicule.
How do you feel? You can't change what you are feeling inside, so what can you do? Not being able to express yourself because of society's intolerance can cause enormous emotional stress. It affects the way we see ourselves and can cause a low or negative self-image and self-esteem. The effects of this can manifest themselves in a number of different ways, ranging from the effects of stress (colds, flu, edginess, aches and pains, depression, disturbed sleep, indigestion, etc.) to behavioral problems and withdrawal from society. Many of the deaths from suicide are thought to be related to the negative attitudes shown towards gay people; a survey by the Greater New York Council asked 416 lesbians and gay men who were under 21 if they had ever attempted suicide19%, almost one in five said that they had. Many of these health problems can be prevented. To do this, we need to create an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance of gay people. This will cause some people to feel uncomfortable, but if we are committed to improving the health of young gay people, then we need to re-educate society. The fear of gay people is learnt; it is therefore possible to unlearn it. It is this re-education that every gay person has gone through in the process of coming out. To learn more about the Gay Men's Health Project or to volunteer, please contact Sal Seeley at 302-227-5620. Upcoming Gay Men's Health Events: July 5: CAMPchats presents: Anal Sex Safety and Pleasure. At Java Beach, 56 Baltimore Ave, 7-9 p.m. July 14: S/M 101 workshop. Double L3-5 p.m. Aug. 4: Sex, Drugs and Gay Men's Health in the New Millenium. Gay Men's retreat with MCC, Beebe Hospital, CAMPsafe and the Gay Men's Health Project. Aug. 5: Men's Healing Erotic Massage Workshop. Please call 302-227-5620 to register. Registration ($30) is limited to 30 people. If you are responsible for public or workplace display boards, you can incorporate material that shows a positive image of gay sexuality. Display posters advertising the local lesbian and gay switchboard and the Gay Men's Health Project. Some of these things will be difficult for you to initiate, but by helping build a society which accepts homosexuality as a part of humanity's natural diversity, you will help many people feel better about themselves and help prevent the illnesses caused by the effects of homophobia. For more information on the Gay Men's Health Project, call Sal Seeley at 302-227-5620. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 8, June 29, 2001. |