Waubonsee Community College

Gay youth, produced by Pam Walton

eng

videorecording

For College; Adult audiences

Gay youth

electronic resource

747799233

produced by Pam Walton

30

This the first video to explore the emotional strain placed on gay youth by intesnse feelings of isolation. Adolescence is typically a time of conformity when one needs to feel secure in a peer group. But lesbian and gay young people are acutely aware of being different and often have no one to talk to about these feelings. This isolation frequently leads them to drug and alcohol abuse, violence, homelessness and even suicide. In fact, in the recently published Report on Youth Suicide, the shocking fact emeerged that fully 30% of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 who committed suicide, were gay or lesbian. This documentary has been designed to break the silence surrounding adolescent homosexuality. It contrasts the suicide death of 20-year old Bobby Griffith with the remarkable and courageous life of 17-year old Gina Guttierrez. Gina is not afraid to meet homophobic attitudes straight on. Gay Youth shows that information, acceptance, and support can make enormous differences in the lives of these young people

general