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Sneak Attack!

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Oak's picture

The bulk of my final can be found on this website which I put together.
The basic purpose of this is to reach the teens who aren't being reached.
Since I am using free web hosting, I cannot put the flier directly on the site for download. However, I will email it to anyone who requests it via the email on the site.
The next step of this project would be to flesh out the site (add actual forums, more information, more links, and a recommended reading list) and advertise it. It would also be nice to find funding so it could have a domain name and better hosting. I am considering carrying out this project at my home high school.
The flier would look something like this:
 
Not Straight? Not Alone.
Like it says.
People disagree a lot on what percentage of the population is “gay.” Some say as little as 3%, others estimate 10%, others give even higher numbers. It probably depends a lot on how you define “gay.” The point is, even if there’s only 100 kids at your high school, there are at least two other gay kids, and probably more once you count the kids who only think of themselves as “kinda gay” or “kinda lesbian” or “maybe bi.” Which brings up the next point…
It’s okay not to label yourself.
If you don’t feel like the words “gay” “lesbian” “bisexual” or “transgendered” work for you, you don’t have to use them. Make up your own word or string of words, or refuse to let words control you. After all, life is complicated and you’re complicated: why should there be only one word to define you?
…And it’s okay to label yourself.
Words are powerful. Just as they pull people apart, they can pull people together. They can make life seem more comfortable and clearer.
Their problem with you IS their problem, not yours.
Yes, it could be very rough on you, especially now, in high school. But it will get better. Once you’re out of high school you can find a better place with better people, as long as you look hard enough. Then the haters will be left with no one to hate.
You can be happy.
Just because you’re not straight doesn’t mean you have to be miserable, or are automatically suicidal. However, if you are suicidal or depressed, get help. Talk to someone you trust, call the National Gay, Lesbian, and Trans Hotline (1-888-843-4564), or get your hands on a book like Hello, Cruel World by Kate Bornstein.
 
If you have questions or comments about this flyer
Email: notstraightnotalone@yahoo.com
Or go to www.notstraightnotalone.webatu.com
 
And the back would have this info:
 
This content was influenced by:
 
Hello, Cruel World and Gender Outlaw by Kate Bornstein
 
The New Gay Teen by Ritch C. Savin-Williams
 
and this article: “The Battle Over Gay Teens” http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1112856,00.html