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Yellow Equal Signs Mean Something? |
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By Glenn LeCarl
Our display of rainbow flags and yellow equal signs appears disingenuous these days. Symbolizing inclusiveness and equality, they seem increasingly out of place representing a community which renders many unequal and that excludes whole segments of its population from the benefits of its growing wealth and influence.
Maybe we should adopt the GOP's elephant instead--it would be a more fitting emblem of our community and leading community organizations as they stand today. At least in so far as our treatment of homeless LGBT youth, we have perfected the very arrogance and indifference of the wealthy and powerful toward those who are poor and disenfranchised that many in our community attribute to the Republican Party. We have abandoned our own most vulnerable youth--not the hallmark of a community with its priorities in order. The result is readily apparent: greatly disproportionate numbers of LGBT youth living and dying on America's streets. Those who have not succumbed due to violence, disease or suicide face terrible choices, such as whether: to spend a night in a shelter, in which they risk being sexually assaulted or beaten; to sell their bodies for shelter or food; to forgo the use of a condom for a few extra bucks; or to "escape" their harsh reality with drugs and alcohol. Instead of getting a helping hand up, they are more likely to be pushed to their knees.
Incredibly, this enormous suffering and loss of life has failed to move the heart--or purse strings--of our community. Though unable to control the hate, ignorance and intolerance that forces thousands of these kids from their homes and communities each year, we could make a huge difference in what happens to them from that point forward. We could offer many safety, provide many with life-affirming choices and opportunities, and we could save many lives; though significantly, we do not. Our efforts on their behalf are minor at best, our investment of resources meager. Not surprisingly, services geared specifically toward helping them remain scarce.
Yet, our community's dearth of compassion and generosity toward homeless LGBT youth doesn't end there. We have also largely failed to work with--or agitate against, when necessary--traditional service providers, funders and government agencies to ensure these kids safe access within our nation's existent shelter and youth services systems. As a result, they lack even the most rudimentary safety net. Our stubborn adherence to an education-only model for HIV/AIDS prevention further evidences our callous disregard for the crisis they face. To kids in dire need of a hot meal or a safe place to sleep, we hand condoms and pamphlets. Alone, these efforts and the funky ad campaigns that accompany them remain so much latex and hot air. If truly serious about reducing the incidence of HIV and AIDS among these kids, we certainly must do more. We must, in fact, broaden the whole paradigm for HIV/AIDS prevention. Surviving on the street from day to day places LGBT youth in an extraordinarily vulnerable position with regard to HIV/AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. Unless we aggressively target homelessness, and the self-destructive behaviors so often associated with life on the street, we will continue to see infection rates soar.
Only then will the rainbow flag and yellow equal sign--not the elephant--reflect our reality and our aspirations. Glenn LeCarl resides in Tallahassee, Florida with his life partner and can be reached at glennalecarl@aol.com. |
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