Attention News Editor:

News Release                   For Immediate Release

October 1, 2003

Annual Adolescent Sexuality Workshop

Attend the upcoming workshop “Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth in Grey Bruce…From Awareness to Support”.  This workshop will focus on the challenges these youth face, while exploring ways to increase community awareness and support.

The world can be a tough place for a teenager, especially if you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, or simply questioning your sexual orientation.  Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) youth are an invisible population that face unspeakable harassment and abuse in schools and their communities.   Consider these disturbing facts:

·        80% of lesbian and bisexual youth report experiencing verbal abuse, 44% experienced threats of attack, 33% had objects thrown at them and 30% were chased or followed.

·        GLBT youth are 5 times more likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe.

·        GLBT youth are 2 to 6 times more likely to attempt suicide.

Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey (1995)

The Public Health Unit is committed to raising community awareness on the issues and challenges that GLBT youth face.  This year’s Adolescent Sexuality Workshop hopes to do just that.  “Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth In Grey Bruce…From Awareness to Support” is a workshop intended for youth, youth leaders, educators, community service providers, parents, mentors and for those who work with youth in faith communities. 

Workshop participants will gain accurate information about youth and sexual orientation issues, while having the opportunity to explore and develop accessible support systems within our own community.  Workshop speakers include Dino Paoletti, who has experience counselling and supporting GLBT youth; Adam Busch, a former Grey Bruce resident, who was a founding member of a peer support group for queer youth; and Nadio Bello, who has experience dealing with anti-homophobia education.

The workshop will be held Friday, November 7 (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at The Stone Tree, Owen Sound.  Registration fee is $30 (includes lunch and resource package) and must be received by October 24^th.  For more information please contact the Public Health Unit, 1-800-263-3456. 

Let’s work together to make our community a safe and supportive environment for all people.

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For more information:

Debby Minielly

Public Health Nurse

Public Health

376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456

Cable - Community Calendar Announcement

“Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Youth …

From Awareness to Support”

November 7, 8:30-3:30 (Owen Sound)

For more info call: Grey Bruce Health Unit

1-800-263-3456

-30-

For more information:

Debby Minielly

Public Health Nurse

Public Health

376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456