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What Does Gay Mean?
How to Talk with Kids about Sexual Orientation and
Prejudice.
 What Does Gay
Mean? is a new anti-bullying program designed to improve understanding and
respect for youth who are gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender (GLBT). Centered on
an educational booklet, called What Does Gay Mean? How to Talk with Kids
About Sexual Orientation and Prejudice, the program encourages parents and
others to communicate and share values of respect with their children.
The National Mental Health Association has initiated this program because we
are concerned about the well being of GLBT youth. They face daily threats to
their mental and physical health -- ranging from anti-gay taunts to beatings
in their schools and communities. Research indicates that 31 percent of gay
youth were threatened or injured at school in just the last year. These
experiences have a devastating impact on the educational success and mental
health of these youth and others who witness it's process.
Anti-gay prejudice affects straight youth, too. In fact, for every gay,
lesbian and bisexual youth who reported being harassed, four straight students
said they were harassed because they were perceived as being gay or lesbian.
We encourage you to use this Web site as a resource in your discussions with
youth about sexual orientation and prejudice.
How to Talk with
Preschool-Age Children (3 to 5 years)
How to Talk with
School-Age Children (6 to 12 years)
How to Talk with
Teenagers (13 to 18 years)
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