YOUTH HOT LINE COUNSELORS PROVIDE HELP AMID TERROR

CHILDREN'S EXPRESS

Some kids spend their weekend evenings out with their friends. Terry spends his weekends answering calls for the Indiana Youth Group hot line for gay and lesbian youth.

"A lot of people who call (the hot line) are terrified of the fact that they might be gay" which is exactly what Terry, 19, a peer counselor for the hot line, went through when he was 16: "I didn't know where to turn to, and I thought it was the worst thing in the world. A lot of kids who call have the same feelings and thoughts going on.

"When I started believing that I could be gay, it was a scary thought because I knew it was completely against (my father's) beliefs. I went through years of just fear and trying everything possible to convince myself that I wasn't gay. I dated quite a few girls in the hopes of changing my thoughts." Terry recalled, "I learned to accept my homosexuality."

When kids call about "coming out" (telling people that they are gay or lesbian), "I try to get them to see the good points in telling (their parents) and also the bad points. Then they can weigh between the two and decide from there."

"We are brought up to think that being homosexual is wrong or a sin, all of these things that we hear from the school system, from churches, from our parents, from our peers," says Chris Gonzalez, coordinator of the IYG program.

Admittance of their homosexuality is even harder for kids who are unsure of their own feelings about being homosexual. For a long time these kids felt they had no one to turn to or receive help from. The IYG Hotline for gay and lesbian youth has counselors ready to listen and share their experiences.

Gonzales says, "It's their only source of accurate information and their only source for someone they can talk to."

The hot line is a toll free 800 line for peer counseling and information for youth under 21. Due to recent funding from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, services have been extended. The line is open for calls Thursday through Sunday from 7 p.m. to midnight.

"As a peer counselors, we talk to other youth and help them with their problems. We help get them to think about . . . things that are on their minds. . . . So in turn they can make their own decisions," says Stephen.

Stephen got involved with IYG hot line because he wanted to help others who experienced the same things that he had gone through and told us: "I just thought it would be a chance to help other people. To me it's a very positive experience."

The hot line is not limited to homosexual callers. Heterosexuals call because they are concerned about a family member or friend who is or might be gay. Stephen says, "I don't really give them advice. I get them to talk about how they are feeling and what they can do about (their feelings)."

Gay/Lesbian Youth Hotline:

(317)-635-TEEN V/TTY Outside Indianapolis:

1-800-347- TEEN V/TTY