BREAKING: A legal settlement established that certain discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity are absolutely permitted in Florida schools.
Section 28 in the UK which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools fucked up a lot of kids in the 90s including me. Thankfully it was repealed.
Don’t let America go that route. You’ll cause more harm by restricting discussion of sexuality.
As a young teen I thought my attraction to my classmates meant I was a paedophile. It resulted in me cutting, burning and hitting myself whenever I wanked to anything gay as a form of ‘DIY conversation therapy’.
I still have the scars at 40 and I only properly came out as gay at 38 after years of self hate.
All I would have needed is a person in authority like a teacher or parent to say “same sex attraction is normal” or “fancying your same sex mates doesn’t make you a pedo - you may just be gay”.
I know it sounds fucking dumb to hear as an adult but as a confused, angsty, pubescent teen who grew up pre-internet* it made sense that I was perverted, evil and broken.
*The internet doesn’t necessarily make it easier for teens to confirm themselves. They could just as easily fall into the same mindset as me due to misinformation rather than ignorance.
Section 28 in the UK which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools fucked up a lot of kids in the 90s including me. Thankfully it was repealed.
Don’t let America go that route. You’ll cause more harm by restricting discussion of sexuality.
As a young teen I thought my attraction to my classmates meant I was a paedophile. It resulted in me cutting, burning and hitting myself whenever I wanked to anything gay as a form of ‘DIY conversation therapy’.
I still have the scars at 40 and I only properly came out as gay at 38 after years of self hate.
All I would have needed is a person in authority like a teacher or parent to say “same sex attraction is normal” or “fancying your same sex mates doesn’t make you a pedo - you may just be gay”.
I know it sounds fucking dumb to hear as an adult but as a confused, angsty, pubescent teen who grew up pre-internet* it made sense that I was perverted, evil and broken.
*The internet doesn’t necessarily make it easier for teens to confirm themselves. They could just as easily fall into the same mindset as me due to misinformation rather than ignorance.
That breaks my heart…I’m sorry you went through that and I am grateful you shared your story