As we are all aware, being a teen and finding yourself is tough. Sometimes confusing, sometimes painful. In the end, we all have to discover who we are and accept ourselves.

This task is intimidating in itself; what if the other people in your life have trouble accepting who you are?  It happens more than you might think.

Imagine: kids and adults alike harassing you. Your friends abandoning you. Your parents disowning you. All because of one part of who you are. This is, unfortunately, the reality of countless teens after revealing that they’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning(L/G/B/T/Q) to their family and friends.

Reasons for this social rejection can be linked to religious beliefs against the LGBTQ way of life, as well as ignorance about what it means to be a part of the LGBTQ community. Different misconceptions are also an element  that lead to the destruction and/or isolation of the individual.

In an interview regarding life as a LGBT teen, a freshman named Kara from Weedsport Central School shared her experience with coming out as bisexual, as well as some discrimination she has endured.

“I told myself that if my parents wouldn’t accept it, then I wouldn’t accept it…I think that maybe they don’t get how at such a young age I could ‘decide’ to like girls and boys…….they think that maybe I’m confused. I know I’m not confused,” said Kara

Kara also shared accounts of getting physically assaulted and having food thrown at her by prejudiced students at previous schools. In addition, she recalls how kids would use homophobic slurs and crude hand gestures in an attempt to hurt her. However, despite all of the discrimination,  Kara is proud of who she is, and doesn’t think it’s a big deal that she’s bisexual.

“I lost some friends, and I gained some friends…They asked me questions like ‘how do you know?’….but it’s hard to explain. You just know, ” Kara said.

Resources for LGBTQ teens can be found in several communities, ranging from youth groups to organizations meant to provide support for the individual.

Some businesses and corporations, however, have actually made it a point to show disapproval of the LGBTQ way of life. Boy Scouts of America, for example, has made several statements on the subject, as well as taking action to ban gay or lesbian members. One teen that has fought against this policy while simultaneously helping his local LGBTQ community is Eric Snyder of Albany, New York.

As an eagle scout, Snyder hesitated to come out as gay for fear that he would be stripped of his title and forced out of  Boy Scouts. However, he used the Boy Scouts to his advantage when he organized a project to renovate the facilities of the local Pride Center, so that the youth groups had a better place to meet.

After first seeing the tiny basement where groups met, Snyder decided that he would make it his project for Eagle Scouts.

“This is not right. They deserve better than this, because they’re coming out here; they’re working; they’re trying to make the world better,” said Snyder in an interview with the Huffington Post.

As people like  Eric Snyder attempt to change the way the country sees the LGBTQ community, hopefully one day equality will be achieved in every aspect of life. Until then, the struggle continues.

SOURCE: www.huffingtonpost.com