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Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, September 3, 1996
P. O. Box 1779,Colorado Springs,CO,80901
(Fax 719-636-0202, print run 117,000)
(E-MAIL: gtop@usa.net)(http://usa.net/gazette)

Young lesbian finds comfort in support group

By Erin Emery

Last spring, Lauren told someone she thought she could trust that she is a lesbian.

By the next day, the news had spread through Palmer High School.
After that,
when Lauren walked by other girls in the hall, they called her brutalizing names: dyke, fag, lesbo.

"I heard things like, `Oh, she's so gross; she's disgusting; she's perverted,' " said Lauren, who turns 15 next month. "There were stupid rumors, like I was into S&M."

At the height of the harassment, a few of Lauren's peers slammed her against a panel of lockers. She reported the incident to school officials, but she said they told her they couldn't do anything because they didn't witness the assault.

Lauren said she felt isolated because there wasn't anyone she could talk to about her sexual orientation.

Then, a friend told her about a little-known local support group called Inside/Out. About 50 gay, lesbian and bisexual youth, ages 15 to 21, participate in the program developed six years ago by the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. Pueblo, Jefferson and Boulder counties offer similar programs.

Lauren said the group has helped her get through feelings of isolation and depression.

"I feel I'm a lot better. I've come out of my depression because I've been accepted. It's real good. When I had all these problems during the week at school, I could go to group and vent.

"It's a place to go where I could talk as freely as a wanted," said Lauren.

Health officials say that providing an environment where young gays and lesbians can talk about their lives can can help them combat high incidences of drug and alcohol abuse, HIV infection and suicide.

A federal study in 1993 shows that gay and lesbian youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Another report, published in the Journal of School Health in December 1991,
indicates that gay and lesbian youths are at a higher risk of abusing drugs and alcohol than the general population. The report says 68 percent of gay males reported alcohol abuse and 44 percent reported drug use. And 83 percent of lesbians reported alcohol use and 56 percent reported drug use.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sex between males accounted for almost 60 percent of the non-transfusion associated AIDS cases among males, ages 13 and 19.

"It's helped me out and made me feel better about myself for being gay,"
said Billy, 16. "It's not that I had low self-esteem, it's just that I felt bad about myself for being gay."

Those kind of feelings can prevent youngsters from talking to teachers or parents, for fear they will be ostracized and shunned.

The local group meets weekly, except for a short break in late August and early September. The next meeting is Sept. 11. Discussions are facilitated by Regina DiPadova, a health department counselor.

The group talks about issues like drugs and alcohol, safe sex, depression and suicide, as well as more social issues like "coming out" in high school, dating, and what to do when your partner leaves for college.

Often, though, it is simply a time for youngsters to talk.

"It's just like catching up or seeing if someone has a problem. If they do,
we'll talk about it," said Billy.

Said Michelle, 18, "Sometimes I go there just to relate to people."

Members of the group and its coordinator are well aware that plenty of people in El Paso County are not in favor of such groups. DiPadova found that out several years ago after the Gazette Telegraph reported the group's existence.

"A bunch of people called and said they didn't want their tax dollars going for such `immoral' activity," said DiPadova. "First of all, it's a very small amount, and the other part of that is that we do not discriminate against anyone who needs services."

The health department has not had any unfavorable calls about the program for about four years. On the contrary, they have had numerous calls from PFLAG -- Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

She said the health department is not out in the community "recruiting" young people to the group.

"Kids find us," DiPadova said. "They find us through word of mouth and that's mostly how kids are coming to group. Some school counselors, DSS (Department of Social Services) case workers and other therapists have sent kids to us."

The youngsters in the group say there is plenty of room in the world for all kinds of people.

"Every group should be able to congregate," said Billy, 16, a student at Widefield High School. "There are groups for all kinds of people, why can't gay people get together? It's our way of getting together as a community."

DiPadova, who has headed the group for six years, said it would behoove others to know the kids she works with.

"These are really good, smart, talented kids. I wish people would get to know them without judging them and saying `You're disgusting; you're gay.' "

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