[LJ Idol 8: Week 15] Roberto

[cheshire23]

[Trigger warning: anti-gay violence

Comments

[jaelle_n_gilla]

Oh dear, yes, I think I can imagine how a gay boy might be perceived as "oppositional" when told repeatedly to "get straight already". Anyone would. And parents seem to think that converting to "normal" is just a matter of will and submission. That goes for anything their children do differently than they think of as "normal". Sad, really, but apparently it inspired something good in the system.

[cheshire23]

It's inspired people to at least take a look at what's happening. People mostly meaning me and my immediate supervisor, but we do what we can. And I actually got to talk to the directors of the LGBT-specialized programs run at two other agencies, which was really interesting for me.

Something I found out in the project that I didn't know is that a lot of the kids who get actually kicked out for being gay and need to go into a placement weren't kicked out by their parents - they were in a kin-guardianship situation with a grandparent or aunt or similar because the parent couldn't care for them, and then got kicked out by the guardian.

[jaelle_n_gilla]

It's probably a lot easier for a distant relative to throw a kid out than it is for a parent. Not that I approve, but I think I can understand why.

Even if it only inspired two people in the system, it's a good thing. Small steps.

[minnesattva]

I used to work on a psychiatric ward, and I still think about some of the people there because there are things they still make me think about.

It is a fearsomely big system but my husband and I both worked in it for a while, and years later we're still both affected by people we encountered in it.

[cheshire23]

There are a lot of things that will always stay with me from the case file project and from my internship placement. And I think there's something really wrong when professionals lose the ability to be affected by people they are supposed to serve.

[thursdayschild]

This is beautiful. You are such a strong writer.

[cheshire23]

Thanks! <3

[whipchick]

I'm so glad you're able to tell this story with hope. Very moving. I do a fair amount of guest artist work in the Southern USA, and I see a lot of kids who are going to have a hard time when they realize they're gay and/or can't hide it any more. And a lot of 50-year-old drama teachers with wives and kids who are also clearly doing the best they can given what they grew up with. Well-written, and thanks for doing your bit :)

[similiesslip]

I really hope things change in those schools:(

[cheshire23]

I hope so too.

It's unfortunately easier to move one teenager (who is also having serious problems getting along with his mom) than to change the bullies AND the mom AND the environment where only stoners like or even tolerate gay kids.