< /> Community services helping gay and lesbian youth “Gay youth can be a very high-risk population. If we don't address homosexuality and deal with it, drugs, alcohol and suicide are some of the things that can happen." — Liz Huesemann, Horizons Community Services (Chicago) BY DELL RICHARDS numbers at Horizons. The teenagers Huesemann deals with every day bear the hile many gay and lesbian adolescents scars of these terrifying figures. dread the upcoming holidays because “Our records show that one out of every it means more time at home, young gay men four to five people in the youth group may and lesbians of Chicago look forward to what have attempted suicide before coming into the psychologists say is the most stressful time of program,” said Huesemann. year. Most gay youth have no one to turn to and A feast of activities — from potlucks to are lucky if they can find a sympathetic adult caroling and parties — helps gay and lesbian who can help them with their fears. youth feel they are part of a family. The crying need for these services is This sense of belonging is critical because evident not just from the number of suicides so many young gays feel alienated to begin but the number of teens Horizons sees each with. During the winter holidays — from year. Founded a decade ago, Horizons helped 400 gay youth this past year. Last year, 375 Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas and New Year’s — they often find the emphasis came through the doors seeking help. “The program started because of the youth on hearth and home too much to bear. out there that were hiding,” said Huesemann. “Gay youth can be a very high-risk “Kids don’t feel safe enough in school to population,” said Liz Huesemann of Horizons say to teachers or friends that they are lesbian Community Services in Chicago. or gay.” “If we don’t address homosexuality and Today, the organization provides a safe, deal with it, drugs, alcohol and suicide are just fu n place for gay teens from Illinois, some of the things that can happen.” Wisconsin and even Indiana. Huesemann, 33, knows what she’s talking In December, they’ll have an evening of about because she’s been there. caroling with other gay friends and a "Just As a young lesbian, she became a victim Because” party with music and dancing. This of fear and isolation herself — one who winter cornucopia comes after a Thanksgiving turned to drugs and alcohol to dim the pain. potluck held at a pizza parlor the night before “I’m one of the statistics,” said the big event, a Halloween party, a Valen­ Huesemann. “I had a difficult time growing tine’s dance and a proper high school prom at up. And I covered it up with drugs and a local restaurant that featured dinner and alcohol.” dancing. Today, the 33-year-old woman heads “W e’re a social service agency but we try youth services at the Chicago community to provide lots of activities that are fun,” said center. Huesemann. Like Huesemann, gay and lesbian youth The widely-respected agency now has two face overwhelming odds in adolescence. paid staff, 25 volunteers and is part of a larger Most are not out to their parents and are afraid community service network that provides their parents will find out. services for drug and alcohol abusers and the This fear isn’t just idle paranoia. Teens homeless. Teens are referred to Horizons by who are honest and open are often rejected by social service programs throughout the state their family and friends. At school, they are and it does its own outreach. laughed at, ridiculed and even beaten up. The center prints cards about itself and its Their drop-out rate is way above the national services that teens from Horizons then take to average. their school and put in library books. At one of the most critical periods of their “The kids themselves put cards into books lives, at a time when hormones and emotion other kids might read,” said Huesemann. are running at their highest, when belonging Horizons trains local teachers and counse­ and being loved is one of their most pressing lors in how to deal with gay youth and the needs, they face a condemning and ruthlessly particular issues of self-hatred and low self­ hostile environment. esteem they often have. The aim of Horizons is to help young gay, Huesemann speaks at schools statewide on lesbian and bisexual youth deal with their a regular basis about being gay, talking about sexuality during this harsh period, to integrate the risks gay youth face, answering questions their sexuality into their lives and to become and trying to combat negative stereotypes. stable, adjusted adults. It provides role For Huesemann, being a speaker is one of models, support groups, a library and a safe the few painful aspects of the job. place to make friends with other gays their “I often ask myself why I have to do this,” own age. said Huesemann. “And I wonder how many Without organizations like Horizons — of times in sex ed classes I have to see people which there are only a handful in the United and say I’m a homosexual. I keep asking why States — these overwhelming feelings of can’t people just accept each other — whether being alienated and outcast often lead to they are heterosexual or homosexual?” destructive means of escape such as drugs, With a masters in social work, Huesemann alcohol and even suicide. has been working with teens for the past 10 The recent report by the Department of years. Before becoming the first paid director Health and Human Services confirmed the of Horizons, she worked with teen drug and gay community’s worst fears about what the alcohol programs. next generation has to face, citing suicide as “I’ve always found it easy to communicate the leading cause of death among gay and with kids,” said Huesemann. “Probably lesbian youth. because I had such a hard time myself.” According to the report, gay and lesbian When Huesemann counsels teens on the youth may account for nearly 30 percent of all dangers of drugs and alcohol, she speaks from successful youth suicides each year. experience. She is a recovering alcoholic who “Homosexuals are two to six times more started drinking in adolescence. Huesemann’s likely to attempt suicide than are father was a minister of a United Church of heterosexuals,” the report stated. Christ, a fairly rigid religious denomination. These horrifying statistics aren’t just W As a result of her strict upbringing, Huese­ mann understands how parents can be well- meaning but still part of the problem. “They come to us because their kid doesn’t come home anymore and they don’t know how to deal with it,” said Huesemann. Huesemann does what she can to educate parents about the stereotypes of lesbians and gays. She tries to teach them that — contrary to their ideas — homosexuality is not a mental illness and that sexuality cannot be changed. “But the emphasis is on the teen, not the parent,” she said. Youth safety and protection are paramount. “Many times the kids are not out to the parents. The parents may not even be aware that the kids are at Horizons. But that’s okay. "That’s what we mean by a safe place.” To get around the need for parental permission to attend meetings, Horizons holds support groups rather than formal therapy groups. As many as 30 teens show up for the support groups. The weekly drop-in evenings can bring in as many as 80 teens a night. If a teen needs special help, Huesemann herself does the immediate crisis intervention. But if a youngster requires long-term care, he or she can be referred to another counselor. With 10 years under its belt, Horizons is looking forward to another decade of growth. One goal is to reach 500 teenagers in the next few years. “Horizons is a place where gay kids don’t have to be isolated, where they can make emotional connection,” said Huesemann. “It’s really great to be able to participate in a program that's really needed.” Making those kinds of meaningful connections on a regular basis is essential for everyone, not just gay and lesbian youth. And at its best, taking the time to do just that is what this holiday season is all about. ▼ Happy Holidays! Thank you for your support during 1989. What better way to start the new year than with a new house! Please have a safe and happy holiday season! 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