by Tommy Self, Jr.

The week of April 19-25 is Gay Awareness Week and as such, there are a few things of which people should be aware.

Be aware that we are your fellow students, friends, instructors and peers. We are your neighbors, family, fellow parishioners and fellow productive members of society. We, as a group, hail from all socioeconomic backgrounds, theologies, cultures and ethnicities. We are human beings and fellow American citizens, yet we are not legally your equals.

Advertisement

Be aware that many of us are invisible because we are afraid that to be seen is to be hurt. We can be fired from our jobs, kicked out of our houses and separated from our children with no recourse. Most of the time you come into contact with us without even knowing it.

Be aware that your hostility makes lesbigay teenagers six times more likely to kill themselves than other teens. You should go to sleep with the knowledge that your attitudes hurt and kill innocent children.