NCJ Number
117634
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
AIDS prevention education for gay and lesbian adolescents can be effective only within the context of a larger effort that takes into consideration the social and emotional realities of this population, yet most national and local proposals for AIDS education almost never mention gay and lesbian youth.
Abstract
Homosexually oriented adolescents face the problems of all adolescents as well as the specific problems resulting from society's stigmatization of the homosexual. The problems specifically related to stigmatization often become manifest as self-destructive or dangerous behaviors that may be directly related to high risk. Homosexual youth enter adolescence with no preparation for their social identities and with the risk of expulsion from their families, their churches, their peer groups, and any other group to which they have been socialized. Thus, they form a hidden population. AIDS education is further complicated by the negative attitudes that many medical, educational, and social service professionals have toward homosexuals. Prevention programs should educate professionals first and should place AIDS within a total health context. Community groups may have greater freedom than schools in developing programs for gay and lesbian youth. The program at the Hetrick-Martin Institute uses a film club, discussions, classes to teach youths about condoms, and individualized instruction. 16 references.