Coming Out in Middle School

September 29, 2009

Brad M. Griffin
Brad M. Griffin

Subscribe Now!

Print Make PDF

If you didn’t see the article in last week’s NY Times school issue titled “Coming Out in Middle School,” you should give it a read.  Much of the focus is on the bullying and anti-gay language students face as more are openly announcing same-sex attraction in middle school.

As people who love and serve adolescents and their families, we need to pay attention to the bullying, and also to the cultural milieu that middle school students navigate as they process their emerging sexuality.  In other words, we need to read articles like this even when we don’t agree with the conclusions.

For more interesting dialogue, check out Irene Cho’s article from earlier this year: “I Think I’m Gay.”

©2009 Fuller Youth Institute

Subscribe Now! Print Back to top
  • Curtis Miller

    I’m glad you linked to this Brad. I thought the article was fascinating when I read it last week, especially the part where they made the point that we never react to straight kids by saying “are you sure? Isn’t it a little early to be making that decision?” Kids who come talk to us about this issue, even in the relatively more tolerant environment we live in now, are taking a huge risk. I think its important to remember that before we respond in a way that we think is harmless, but actually communicates rejection.

Post Tags

RelatedContent

    1. Half of Middle and High School Students Are Sexually Harassed
    2. Middle School Ministry
    3. What grade would students give high school, or college?
    4. The Middle 70%
    5. Intergen Sunday School Class

Latest Blog Entry

LatestArticles & Audio