Become A Real Guitar Hero Yeah you think you're good at Guitar Hero but why not take those button-pressing skills and learn to really play the guitar? This new software uses
your Guitar Hero skills and teaches you to actually learn chords. Try it and really impress your friends.
[click for
Guitar Hero]
Teen Depression Preventing teen suicide is a group effort. Often those having difficulties coping are trying to send
you message, usually in very subtle ways. You can identify and help avoid something tragic from happening
if you know what to look for. Wouldn't you want someone to help you if you were in their situation?
[click for Teen Depression]
"I'm Not Gay" They don't identify with the gay community, they don't go out to gay bars, and they're dropping the 'gay' label and all the effeminate and political baggage that comes along with it. Meet the new young face of homosexual America.
Is this the beginning of the end of the gay stereotype?
[click for
Not Gay]
One-Two Punch Seems like energy drink manufacturers have found a new market for their alcoholic energy drinks: Teens. What started
as a craze for the college aged crowd has now become a trend with the high school teen set. Wasn't it obvious that energy drink addicted teens would likely gravitate to the alcoholic version?
[click for
Energy]
Coming Of Age As A December Boy
Daniel Radcliffe breaks from his Harry Potter role in the Australian indie film; December Boys. Filmed in the Australian outback, it's about
four orphan boys who have grown to be the closest of friends but then find themselves competing for the attention of the same family in hopes of one last chance of getting adopted.
[click for December Boys]
Brave New World Meet Eddie, super hot 18 y/o BMX biker with something to say
about global warming to all drivers out on the road in his suburban neighborhood. Read how this one-man-crusade is forcing drivers
to listen to his message on how pollution is harming his generations future, and how he
does it all while riding his bike.
[click for
Brave]
Generation ME Young gay teens today are confident, assertive, entitled, and more sexual at an early age then ever before.
GenMe has created a shift in the way people perceive young gays, changing what it means to be a strong, independent-thinking, gay teen in today's gay and straight
world.
[click for
GenMe]
The
Choking Game Teens call it the
blackout game, the passout game , flatlining or space monkey. They choke
themselves , depriving their bodies of oxygen to the point of passing out...its
all for the high they get...but its leaving some kids dead. Find out why this
game is so popular.
[click for Choking]
When
One Of
You Cheats
Gay teens are coming out younger and falling into relationships earlier just like their straight friends. So what
happens when the bomb falls and your boyfriend tells you he's been with some other gay guy? Here's some advice on how to deal.
[click for Cheat]
T'weens Coming Out Gay
Read the USAToday article
about super young teens coming out to their family and peers as gay. Is the
nation becoming more tolerable or are we just tired of staying in the shadows? And what's in store for
these trailblazers as they grow older?
[click for
Gay T'weens]
Addicted to music video games? Maybe it's time to put down the toys and pick up the real thing.
Between Activision's powerhouse Guitar Hero franchise and MTV's upstart Rock Band, millions of couch potatoes have been turned on to the power of rock n' roll gaming. Unfortunately, the button-mashing skills that serve them so well at home don't translate to success with a real instrument at a club.
But as more and more gamers are playing to the beat, the demand for software that will actually teach them how to play for real is on the rise -- literally.
On display in a packed booth at the recent Game Developer's Conference, Guitar Rising takes the basic concept of Guitar Hero -- players strum along to popular songs for points -- and turns it into a legitimate teaching tool by exchanging plastic game peripherals for bona fide wood and steel guitars.
Watch Guitar Hero III Videos
Best of all, there's no need to make room for yet another piece of bulky hardware: Using a small USB converter similar to the kind employed by everyday living room musicians, Guitar Rising can be played with any electric guitar. Simply plug a standard electric guitar cable into one end and plug the USB out into any USB port on your PC to be up and rocking.
Obviously, using a real instrument introduces some new problems. Real guitars have six strings and over 20 frets, making things much more complicated than just pressing 'Red' and flicking a strum bar. Since it's primarily a teaching tool, Guitar Rising uses a color-coded version of classic guitar tablature that should look instantly familiar to both guitarists and gamers alike. If you're playing through a song correctly, you're effectively sight-reading.
Exactly which songs will you be able to play? That's still up in the air, but according to Guitar Rising developer Gametank, licensing hasn't been particularly problematic. (Considering how well artists included in Rock Band and Guitar Hero have fared, that's hardly surprising.) And since the game converts your guitar signal into USB form, there's reason to believe it might actually make its way to USB-equipped home consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3, although currently it's due only on the PC later this year.
Pay Attention, You May Save A Life.
Personal attention is one of the best holiday gifts. "We are supposed to be happy and there is so much going on. People need to reach out to other people, to loved ones and to friends if they are sad and depressed," Shirley Kaminsky of the American Suicide Prevention Foundation said.
Holiday hype can exacerbate feelings of "disconnect" from lovers, friends, family and coworkers. That isolation is one sign of something more serious. "Over 90 percent of people who die by suicide have diagnosable cases of depression," she said. "Often they mask their depression."
Counselors suggest that suicide is a permanent "solution" to what is usually a temporary problem. "This is preventable," Kaminsky said. "Learn to recognize the signs; then get treatment and support."
AFSP held the "Minding Hearts and Souls" November conference in Pleasanton and at more than 100 other locations around the country. California State Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, a suicide survivor, was keynote speaker. The program included a national Webcast and dialogue with physicians and psychologists focused on support, prevention and research.
The conference is important in helping people cope, Hayashi said. "Even for someone like me whose loss occurred many years ago, there is still so much to learn and understand about this complex issue. By sharing our experiences and knowledge, survivors have the opportunity to get the support they need, as well as focus on how they can contribute to current suicide prevention efforts," she said.
Survivors
The term "suicide survivor" refers to those who cared for the suicide victim, and who are left with the loss of a loved one, as well as an array of unanswered questions.
"Every 16 minutes someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. Every 17 minutes someone is left to make sense of it," according to AFSP documents.
Kaminsky has been a part of AFSP since the death of her 18 year-old son, David, in 1987. "I am a facilitator for support groups in the Tri Valley. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are hard for the survivor of a suicide. You never know when the grief is going to hit you again," Kaminski said. "We work to help others recognize the signs of, and prevent suicide, while helping those close to someone who has died by their own hand."
Watch for these signs of depression:
Listen - if you hear "I can't go on," or "Perhaps I will just end it all," get help.
Using alcohol or drugs to excess
Reckless or enraged behavior
Becoming withdrawn, silent, loss of energy, diminished ability to concentrate
Getting affairs in order and giving away valued possessions
Experiencing a major loss or life change
A sudden weight loss or weight gain, change in sleep patterns
Take It Seriously
Behavioral signs might be off- putting to friends and family, but if one cares about a depressed person, get help and do not leave them alone. "We need to be very open about talking to people," Kaminsky said.
When asked directly, she replied that means actually discussing their behavior and its implications with a loved one who might be in a depressed state of mind in a non-judgmental way and providing information.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, AFSPD.org, has expert information, resources and survivor links.
Teens are especially vulnerable. "Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death, and the third leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24," according to Network for Good, another national suicide prevention organization.
Young people may not have developed life coping skills. They are vulnerable to the influence of peers and exposure to Internet sites that focus on morbid subjects. Physical and emotional changes make feelings of hopelessness and isolation more intense.
If there is a crisis situation at hand, AFSD advises removing dangerous drugs and objects, staying with the individual and taking them to an emergency room. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK.
I'm Not Gay
“I am not gay.” A simple statement taking back the effeminate and political power of the word, “gay.”
Despite my preference for guys, I really have very little in common with gay culture. A
pseudo culture encouraged and controlled by radical leftist groups of counter-cultural rebels who have now evolved into a corporate machine, making a living on special interest legislation bent in one direction, not open to dissent or self-reflection whatsoever. Think I'm kidding? Log onto any gay
chat room and disagree with the whole gay marriage amendment and then see what sort of vile responses you get from the gay 'community'.
This party that consists of a multitude of personalities and behaviors seems so desperate for normalcy and worldwide acceptance that it ignores the problems plaguing its own constituents: a disparate hodgepodge of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, and tons of other confusing neo-liberal labels, a party so hungry for acceptance and inclusion that it consistently seeks approval and acknowledgement from a society that would rather see it disappear.
Being attracted to the same sex yet not identifying with any 'community' is a concept that permeates within the younger gay population, a population that hasn't really had to live through the struggles of acceptance or disease but instead accepts it as every day life and something that they just have to deal with. It's a lot less a lifestyle of 'gay' in the sense that not everything is fun and giddy. The Me Generation considers being attracted to the same sex as just that, an attraction to the same sex, nothing more, nothing less.
In today's world, the word gay describes a whole cultural and political movement that promotes anti-male feminism, victim mentality, and left leaning politics. Gays believe that their sexuality engenders ethnicity and complete social identity. Generation Me, on the other hand, rejects the gay identity and its effeminate stereotype, and reclaims male masculinity through the belief that one can stay true to their roots and sustain an authentic masculine identity.
This form of masculinity is not the hyper-masculine leather daddy or bear/cub uber-queer choose-your-own-form-of-masculine definition, which is really just another way to be effeminate and another form of drag, but a real masculinity based on physical, essential, and cultural elements as defined by the majority of the male population, or at least that perception of masculinity.
So why would guys that don't necessarily identify themselves as gay find the need to distance themselves from mainstream gays? To reclaim a masculine identity to counteract the negative and effeminizing forces of modern gay culture because it promotes a more personal, individualistic attitude of the masculine ideal of self-reliance, independence, and personal responsibility through achievement, respect, and integrity. The feeling is guys should concentrate on building alliances with other guys, including straight men and possibly even straight fatherless families that need a father-figure to look up to, instead of just look at other males as sex objects. Why? Because it's more fulfilling in the long run.
The consensus is guys should develop strong relationships with heterosexual guys, not just others with the same preference because the forces emasculating gay guys are doing the same to straight guys. Think about the political-correctness of metrosexuality and other gender blending in today’s culture. Only through building an alliance with other masculine guys will the tide turn in the favor of reclaiming and establishing a masculine identity, for all guys.
To speak out as a homosexual against organizations such as the HRC or GLAAD may be equivocated by some as biting the hand that feeds you but the reality is these organizations do little to counteract the negative characteristics and qualities of the loosely knit and contrived communities they supposedly represent, and therefore the disconnect with younger homosexuals.
GLAAD glorifies effeminate affectations and representations of gay guys as positive developments in the mainstream media but in fact, they aren’t. Effeminate gays on television or movies are gay stereotypes. They do nothing but further weaken gay guys in the eyes of heterosexual males. HRC gushes about its achievements in corporations and political campaigns. Each organization brags of inclusion, diversity, and equality. But should anyone speak out against either HRC or GLAAD out of a sense of individual thinking is considered homo-homophobic.
Think how republican homosexuals are treated as villains. Any gay that doesn’t believe in the feminist perspective is ridiculed and ostracized. Masculine guys are labeled as homophobic The current gay “culture” glorifies the world of alcohol, drugs, materialism, body disorders, and classism, and encourages young gays into it . Ask yourself if this
community is really something you can feel proud of.
If you really look at it, the gay community is a disaggregated and forced collection of people who don’t really like each other that much or have that much in common. And really, should they? Would a lesbian really like being at a circuit party ? Would a military soldier feel comfortable on a Pride float? Proud of what? The GLBT and all of its anti-war Democrats? Let's be honest, most online profiles for gay guys list racial preferences, HIV-status, age, money and political
affiliations. Gay bars are segregated along the same lines. Do gays really have that much in common, or are we just deluding ourselves?
Maybe there should really be a more libertarian approach to sexuality, the same approach that resulted in the decriminalization of sodomy laws in the Western world. Greek culture, Roman warriors, and other non-gay forms of male relationships were able to celebrate male sexuality without having the need to be part of any community. With the current anti-masculine gay sexuality, the community as everyone knows it, is crashing down because it isn't based on anything substantial. Aren't we done celebrating Stonewall? Maybe it's time to move on.
Guys who don't feel part of gay culture should also remove themselves from the culture of victimization and being the underdog. By remaining someone identified by their shortfalls, one will never truly be free of them. Face it, the majority of GLBT people these days haven’t faced much harassment yet gay culture continues to promote a victim mentality even in those who have never been a victim.
Guys who admire or love other guys should be more responsible, not give into the effeminate gay cultural fad; avoid the personal, career, and social pitfalls common to those who live in a completely gay ghetto world; and build stronger ties with heterosexual men who share common interests. Until then we will always be seen as the weak underdog. And we younger homosexuals find that unacceptable.
Your Complete Energy Drink
Energy drinks such as Sparks, Tilt and Rockstar 21 are packaged and marketed to look just like the energy beverages they are, with one major difference; along with the taurine and caffeine they contain alcohol and teens are hooked on these like tweens at a Starbucks.
The alcoholic energy drinks became and instant hit with the under-rested, college party crowd since they first appeared on the market. Since they can easily be disguised, and bought, as regular energy drinks, it was the 'to-go' adreneline rush that most college kids crave.
Fast forward to the high school teen market and you have the an even larger population of thirsty trendiods just waiting to catch a buzz and rush all at the same time without anyone being the wiser.
Parents might even be in the dark and don't even realize alcoholic energy drinks exist. And parents are saying that teens, not adults, are the targets of marketing efforts for these products, whose alcohol content ranges from 6 percent to 10 percent.
It's obvious to anyone that the energy drink market is huge among the myspace crowd and it's a natural leap from energy drink marketing to alcoholic energy drinks, although no watchdog group has any scathing internal memos from energy drink suppliers to prove it. There's money to be made and it's there for the taking. For example, tech-savvy teens can download ringtones, screensavers and text-messaging icons from the Anheuser-Busch Web site which essentially spreads the word about their alcoholic energy drink Tilt.
Even the packaging comes in a slender, silver can that looks a lot like those used by its nonalcoholic cousins. The way these things are packaged, you can pick something up that has alcohol in it and not even know it and often times neither do the grocery store clerks and a sale is made.
When asked about the packaging of their alcoholic energy drinks, an Anheuser-Busch rep, which makes Tilt, and a Miller Brewing Co. rep, the maker of Sparks, issued statements condemning underage drinking and saying that the contents of their drinks are clearly labeled. Ah, ok. Rockstar and United Brands, which make Rockstar 21 and Joose, did not respond to repeated requests for information about their products.
The major problem with anyone who drinks too much alcohol is they pass out and hopefully don't get into a car, the concern with alcoholic energy drinks is when someone's been drinking but stays up because of the caffeine and thinks they're ok to drive. Caffeine will mask the impact of the alcohol so you feel less intoxicated, there is concern for young drinkers because they are not experienced with alcohol and the likelihood they will engage in risky behavior is increased.
More than two dozen state attorneys general, including California's, sent a letter in August to the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to protest how beverage companies sell the drinks. The letter contended that manufacturers capitalize on the popularity of energy drinks among young people to market alcoholic versions.
According to myspace survey, nearly one in three people who are 12 to 17 years old report regular consumption of energy drinks and a majority admitted that most teachers and parents are unaware that alcoholic energy drinks exist.
Besides the promise of delivering a jolt, alcoholic energy drinks appeal to teens because of their cost, youth advocates say. They are as cheap as two for $3; nonalcoholic versions cost more than $2 each. The ones without alcohol are more expensive. so why not buy one with alcohol? Hmmm, wonder what the manufactures would say to that question.
Coming Of Age As A December Boy
It's hard for us to imagine a pale-skinned, english boy wizard Harry Potter fitting in among the weathered huts, sun drenched sand dunes and coral blue
seas of a coastal Australian town in the 1960s. But in December Boys Daniel Radcliffe seems to manage it.
And being British, he even pulls off a near perfect Aussie accent.
For Daniel's first film after the Harry Potter series, instead of going for one of the many potential Hollywood blockbuster scripts that have been landing
on his agents desk, Daniel has decided to launch his post-wizard career with a small-budget indie Australian movie filmed mostly on location at South
Australia's Kangaroo Island.
Daniel says it was important for him to distance himself from Harry Potter in his first venture away from the film series, which also included his
controversial stage acting in the London play Equis.
"I was sent a lot of scripts but none of them really appealed to me until December Boys came along," said Radcliffe.
"When I read the script I loved it. It was a very simple story, but I thought it was very beautiful and had the potential to really allow me to push my
acting abilities in a completely different direction than the previous Potter series.
"My character Maps is very, very different to Harry so I knew that would be a challenge for me. I've been playing Harry Potter for five years so it was
quite challenging and rewarding to do something a bit different."
In December Boys, based on Michael Noonan's novel of the same name, the 18-year-old British actor plays one of a close-knit band of four orphaned
boys on their first holiday away from a children's home run by nuns in the Australian outback.
His friends - Misty, played by Lee Cormie, Spit played by James Fraser and Spark, played by Christian Byers - realize they are getting too old to be
adopted, and are beginning to get desperate in their search for a adoptive family. With their future looking more and more bleak, they decide to embrace as
much happiness as they can while they're still young and innocent.
Since Maps realizes he's even older and larger than the others, he's pretty much given up all hope of being adopted.
Taken in temporarily by retired naval officer Bandy McAnsh, played by Jack Thompson, and his dying wife "Skipper", played by Kris McQuade, the friends
meet a young couple who are unable to have children and interested in adopting: and so the rivalry between the boys begins.
But while they think they are searching for parents, the December Boys (so-called because they share the same birth month) they come to realize they
are each other's family and the real bonding begins.
Maps even has a love interest, newcomer Teresa Palmer playing Lucy, the coquettish, sexually precocious, long-legged teen blonde.
With some themes closely resembling the 1986 classic Stand By Me, December Boys stands up well as a feel-good family story.
"I wanted to make it more like a coming of age story, rather than a children's story," said Australian director Rod Hardy, known for his work on popular
television shows Buffalo Girls, The X-Files and The Practice.
"But I couldn't be so egotistical to think that I'd made something phenomenal like Stand By Me.
"See, Stand By Me, that's a classic to me, that's a classic film. And classics only come by time: you don't make a classic, it becomes a classic.
"I do hope this film is around in ten years time and people were still talking about it.
"But you never know where it's going to go. We made the film, with talent and passion, and the rest is up to the audience to respond."
Where the film seems to falter a bit is that it is cluttered with subsidiary characters who are never fully developed. Even within the group of four boys,
Spit and Spark appear to be almost ancillary to the main storylines of Maps and Misty.
Only snippets of the adult characters' emotions are allowed, even though throughout the film they also deal with weighty issues of death, loss and
rejection.
And some of the symbolism - the enormous 'uncatchable' fish called Henry, the religious apparitions of Mary and the black stallion seen constantly
hunting for fish - is a bit exaggerated.
The impressive performances of all four boys and Palmer, and a touching performance from Thompson, make the film what it is: a simple, beautifully shot
story that - with the help of Daniel Radcliffe - should be well received in Australia and America.
December boys is set to open at select theaters on September 20.
Brave New World
How One Teen Takes Back The Streets In His Town.
"Well it started out being this confrontation on the commuter train I take when I need to go long distances on my bike.
This older guy thought I was a major inconvenience for him 'cause he had to take one step to get around me and my bike.
So instead of just walking around and sitting his ass down on a seat, he had to make a comment under his breath, something
'bout youth and his world and how I was ruining it, blah, blah, blah. I don't ever spaz when it comes to confrontation 'cause I
think it's funny when someone goes crazy on you and causes a scene. I just let him spew his vent and when he sat down
and stared at me I just said for him to have a nice day. That usually shuts 'em down, something about killing them with
kindness usually makes them shut the hell up."
It was from that initial incident that Eddie started realizing that people did find bicyclist's inconvenient and in 'their' way, even
though the whole spirit of commuting is supposed to encourage mass-transit. "Dude, it's not like I have this huge bike that's blocking
the entire train, the guy was a major spaz but you know what? I get that attitude a lot from people, and most just happen to be
older, and I had to wonder, hmmmm, these are the same f cks that care less about leaving me a dirty world, that only take mass transit
'cause they have to, but as soon as the train stops they're back in their massive SUVs mowing down whatever gets in their way." Eddie
thought it was time he stopped whining from the sidelines and decided to do something about it. To get some message out there so
people would stop and think about their actions and how it was damaging his future world and ruining the environment.
When you talk to Eddie you realize he's not really an activist of any kind. He's actually just a fun teenager growing into manhood, that enjoys
riding his bike and decided that he would not own a car so that he wouldn't be a contributor to the war-for-oil or global warming. His initial reason
wasn't to send a message to all the car-hogs on the road, or to stop people from damaging the environment, it was just Eddie doing what
he likes doing best, riding his bike and hanging out with cool people.
The northern California suburb Eddie grew up and lives in is a perfect place for someone that chooses not to own a car. The city itself was
designed with miles of bike path that intersects all the neighborhoods and can take Eddie anywhere he wants with limited car contact. The city
is also on a commuter rail line that can take him anywhere in the Bay area and has allowed bikes for years now. Eddie is totally mobile. He might not
be able to jump in a car and get somewhere in 10 minutes, but he plans his routes well and usually gets there not much later then a car would, without
traffic congestion.
What Eddie thinks is strange is the reaction he gets from people that don't ride bikes, "It's like I'm in their way, like they're so much more important
and I'm just an obstacle that's slowing their journey". "Well f ck that, I'm using my own energy to get around, I'm not contributing to the political war
that's devastating entire civilizations just so fat-ass Americans can drive their over-sized SUVs. I'm also not contributing to the extinction of the human race.
I don't pollute, I don't spew tons of toxins into the air just so I can travel to the quickie mart and by another Big Gulp. I'm the solution and these
people in cars and these people on transit that think I'm in the way are morons. Their vision is so myopic and I felt it was time to do something about it."
What started out as a one-man crusade has now gained in momentum, and some Friday nights Eddie and his gang of bicyclists can usually take up a good
portion of roadway as they spread their message to the traffic that's being inconvenienced because of the slower mass of cyclists. The law is very clear in
California, all roads must be 'shared' with non-automobiles, this includes motorcycles, bikes and pedestrians. Try explaining that to the hoardes of cars that honk
at the very first incident of someone blocking 'their' roadway.
So Eddie took the law on his side and decided that instead of riding on the side of the road and not making any statement, he'd ride in the fast line of the
street and zig-zag, go slow, and make his statement in a peaceful way. The cops couldn't touch him.
The first time Eddie attempted his ride it was only him, it was dusk and cars were getting pretty close to me all the while honking to get out of their way. Eddie
just laughed and continued riding. He put together a makeshit cardboard sign on his back that read "Stop Ignoring Global Warming" just so everyone would know
he wasn't just some crazy teen on a bike that forgot to take his meds. He was there on purpose and he was making a statement. His message caught on. "On
that very first ride I got about a handful of other guys on bikes to ride with me just 'cause they saw what I was doing and how the drivers in cars were
getting uptight, I guess they liked seeing a reaction from the drivers just like I did." "At one point even a lady in a motorized wheelchair joined us. She told me
that it sucked having to be in a chair in the first place and then to be mowed over almost everyday by cars going too fast through driveways and crosswalks, well
she was super pissed about it. She rocked. we all love that Erlene".
So now it's been almost a year since Eddie and his gang of misfits have been taking back their streets on Friday nights. It's gotten a bit of media coverage and there
are times when the police will psuedo-escort their rides by hanging back a few paces with their flashers going. There are times when cars will just pull alongside them
and yell obscenities but that just makes all the bikers, skateboarders, and yes, Erlene, laugh. It's then they know their message is getting through, that they've made
a difference and that they've opened someones eyes to what they're trying to say: Share the Road, get out of your cars, walk, ride, crawl. We don't give a f ck but we care.
Do YOU?
Generation ME
Is There Anything Wrong With Generation Me?
A new gay.com study says that today’s young gay teens are more sexual at an early age and way more self-centered than ever before. The question I keep asking myself, though, is what is so wrong with that
and why are so many people blaming myspace and other social websites for this apparent trend. Perhaps there’s a connection, but personally I think it's a sign of the times and if anyone is to blame it's our
parents society, not ours.
A study examining sexual activity among gay students over the last few generations suggests that today’s young gay teens are more focused on sexuality at an early age than previous generations. A survey
asked the teens to react to phrases such as “If a hot guy came on to me would I respond”, “I think I deserve to be as sexual as my straight counterparts” and “I can have sex any way I want to and started
being sexually active at ___ age.” Researchers then examined the results in the aggregate to make a determination regarding overall sexuality among gay teens.
Today's young gays are also be educated and prepared for what stalks them sexually in the gay community. A lot of younger guys realize what they're getting into when they IM an older gay guy and how to
protect themselves sexually. It's not all about truck stops and back rooms for them as it was for prior generations. If they want to find sex, they can find it, by merely logging on and finding someone that fits
their sexual needs.
Also, according to the latest data, gay students are more focused on themselves than any other previous group of students, but is this necessarily a bad thing?
Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Camp of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people “or auditioning on ‘American Idol.’”
“Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with peers,” he said.
The study says that narcissists “are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling
and violent behaviors.” Sound familiar? Nah, we all know we're also in denial, right?
Then there's a professor at San Diego State University, she places most of the blame on what she calls the “self-esteem movement” that began in the 1980s. “We need to stop endlessly repeating ‘You’re
special’ and having children repeat that back,” she said. “Kids are self-centered enough already.” Phew, who made her boss?
And there's more: "But things have gotten worse, she says, because of ubiquitous access to social media tools on the Internet. “Current technology fuels the increase in narcissism,” Twenge said. “By its
very name, MySpace encourages attention-seeking, as does YouTube.” Now that I will agree with but is that necessarily a bad thing? Shouldn't we be proud of ourselves and our creative individuality?
You see, narcissism isn’t something we learned overnight, let alone in a year or two. It’s built up through years of development. Yet the social media tools she blames have only been around for a few years at
most; YouTube hasn’t even reached its second birthday yet. Besides, how did you expect us to develop when our parents were out doing 'their own thing' which usually meant mom shopping and dad golfing with
his pals, all the while leaving us by ourselves and throwing a few dollars our way so we wouldn't care?
Professor also emphasizes the fact that some of these tools have brand names that embrace the first-person, such as MySpace and YouTube. Twenge equates these tools with being “all about me.” They are
about me, but not in the way she thinks they are. The vast majority of people who use social networking sites aren’t in on it to become famous and have hordes of adoring fans. Sure, some people are there for
vanity or proto-celebrity purposes, but most people are there for us, not me. They’re communities where people come together to find each other and bond over likeminded interests. Especially if you live
in a small-minded community where you might be misunderstood. These sites give us a voice, they help us find like-minded peers that can help us
understand ourselves and reinforce that we're not alone in the world and that we're not freaks no matter who we are and regardless if we fit in with others at our school.
Social websites also reinforce interpersonal relationships through sharing and creating content. MySpace and YouTube are just references to the fact that they’re an experience built around each members
interests and creative abilities - and the others who share those interests and abilities. Twenge misunderstands the ethos of social media, not recognizing that users of social media
do it because they care about the notion of “us” and want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Does any of this mean that there isn’t a connection at all between being self-centered and 24/7 media consumption? Possibly, but that may have more to do with reality TV and the cult of celebrity in this
country than it does with whether your teen has a Facebook profile. More research on the impact of media on young people can be done but does it really mean anything?
Anyway, that’s my opinion. Mine! All mine! -Jackson
Here's some responses I got from people I told about this article:
This seems typical, though, and seems to point to a greater problem in our society.
MySpace seems to have taken over MTV (late eighties and nineties) as the poster child for all things wrong with our children. Many (not all, but perhaps most) researchers, parents and school administrators
simply need somewhere to place the blame. A somewhat Girardian escape, perhaps, which may have more to do with the adults’ psyche than the so-called problem the kids are facing.
Recently, MySpace, Friendster AND “blogs” or any sites remotely related have all been blocked by our school district’s filter. Instead of blocking and filtering, school districts, researchers and parents need to
be learning from, instead of whining about, places like myspace, youtube, flickr, etc.
The greater problem here, however, is that the schooling experiment in our country continues to be abysmally lame, for the most part—If in fact, this experiment is supposed to be about teaching and
learning. Unfortunately, the true learning environment of ours continue to be the communities on the fringes and how these communities intermingle to jointly form our kids’ education. This intermingling can be
good or bad, whole or fragmented.
These communities include family, friends, after-school groups, clubs, nicktv, cartoonnetwork, gaming, chatting, MySpace, YouTube, etc. Communities, yes, but, particularly, socially networked
communities.
I think Mark Twain said it best: “I’ve never let school get in the way of my education.”
-By Nick 12:57PM on May 4, 07
Hey, I’m from the generation affected by Myspace and blogs. Guess what? I don’t have one. Either one. Actually, I just got the internet this week. And you want to hear somthing really interesting? I’m just as narcissic and emotionally detached as all the other kids in my grade. In fact, I’m probably even more dispassionate than most of them. If you want to blame something, yell at sesame street or PBS, because
that’s what I grew up watching (my family doesn’t have cable or satellite). Not so quick to lay blame now?
-By David 2:15PM on May 8, 07
I agree that all teens want to be the center of the world and to become a functioning adult is to realize that this is not possible. Not only is it not possible, but it is not healthy. To possess everything that
time, money and attention can afford is to invite misery. I do not believe that mySpace or even the Internet have created the “me, me, me” attitude that permeates our society. Capitalism has caused this
population of credit draining, gotta have it now mentality that is destroying the fabric of our culture. That and reality television.
By Camden 8:47PM on Apr, 27, 07
The
Choking
Game
I never would believe if someone told me that Thomas would take such a gamble. I was sort of worried for Thomas the last few weeks before that fateful night because his mood and behavior had changed so
drastically those past few weeks. We had caught him smoking, buying weed and then he was suspended from school for insubordination. Previously, he never had any problems with school or friends and always got good grades. Lately, I had noticed his behavior changes and had seen his bloodshot eyes. He said his eyes were red because he had been surfing all day and rubbed his eyes a lot. I sensed something was wrong but still it never
occurred for a minute he was playing me. We always had such a good relationship, he was always happy, he was a mother's dream come true.
On a Thursday night , we had all gone to the mall shopping together and Thomas had purchased new skinny jeans and some games for his Nintendo DS for an upcoming sleep over with some of his surf friends. He ate dinner with us and sat in the living room eating snacks and playing his DS. Later that night he said he was going up to his room and then left with his dog Rowdy in tow.
Around 10 PM I heard a strange thumping sound and yelled up the stairs for him to knock it off, that it was getting late. He didn't say anything back so I decided to go up and see what he was up. He was laying on his bed perched up on one arm. I found this odd but I don't know why, maybe it's because this wasn't a position he usually relaxes in. My initial instinct was to yell at him again but what could I say. We had already been arguing so much I saw no use to go at it again. I just said 'Go to Sleep Thomas'. He answered with his usual 'Yeah'. I again thought of sitting on the bed and having one of our usual late night talks. We were close, I always sat on his bed and talked with him... Always. But this night I let my
uneasiness at his recent outburst lead me to just leave it alone and walk away. I said goodnight and I turned out the light and went back downstairs. I sat back down on the couch with my youngest son, John, and thought about Thomas. About 15 minutes later a very sick feeling came over me and I couldn't figure out why, I felt so sick and panicked. Once again I pushed my instinct away. About 10 minutes later my husband came in and I ask him to carry our youngest son upstairs. I heard a sickening sound come from my husband that I never want to hear again. I made the stairs 3 at at time and found my husband laying our sweet Thomas on the floor. I
immediately began working on him trying to revive him. I remember my screams . I begged him not to leave me and how sorry I was that we fought earlier. I knew it was too late. Only minutes too late.
Apparently Thomas had wrapped a belt around his neck and had hung down from a hook he put up on his ceiling. When Kevin lifted his body the belt slipped right off the hook. His beautiful legs were on the floor. All he had to do was stand up. It has been 3 months since our baby Thomas left us. We have been unable to live in our home where Thomas died and have had to move again. We live on only because we know we have to. Only someone who has lived the loss of a child can imagine our grief. The type of grief that gnaws on you ever single moment of every single day.
The motions we go through every day only serves to remind us that our beautiful, wonderful, boy left without ever saying goodbye and that his death was as senseless as any death gets. Thousands attended his wake and funeral and masses were said around the world by people whom Thomas' Life had touched in our travels. He will not be
forgotten. You can bet on it.
Karen Davis
Thomas' Mom
Gay Teens
Coming Out
Younger
Keven M., 14, a high school freshman in St. Paul, recalls attending his first meeting at the school's Gay-Straight Alliance
club when he was in the seventh grade. "I said, 'My name is Kevin, and I think I'm gay.' Saying it set me free. It felt like this huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders, and I had
gay guys to talk to."
Zach T., 15, has brought boyfriends to dances at his high school in San Ramon, CA.
Vance S. started a club to support gay students at his Texas high school but administrators said no. Vance, 14 got online and emailed a San Francisco advocacy group and they sent school
officials a letter about students' legal rights. Now 17, Vance has his club.
Gay teenagers are "coming out gay" younger than ever before, and it makes a lot of them feel good about themselves than previous generations of gays,
who were forced to remain in the closet and pretend they were someone else and live with the pain and torment that brings to oneself. The change is happening in the wake of opinion polls
that show the nations growing acceptance of gays, more supportive adults and positive gay role models in the media and sports.
"In previous generations, you couldn't come out in high school. You would probably be scorned and beaten relentlessly," says Kevin James, 43, associate director
of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Network, a group that promotes a positive school environment for gay children. "Kids are out while they're
still at home, some in their t'ween years. They're more vocal and demanding than we were. And good for them."
But for many they still go through a tough time. The worst off are young gay guys in conservative rural areas and children whose parents who aren't accepting because of their religious beliefs.
Name calling at school is still common. Cyber-bullying is big. Some young gay kids are getting hate mail and taunts on MySpace or Facebook and that should be considered a hate crime.
As young gays become more out they also become visible targets, but they also have more sources of help. In the 11 years since James
founded the network, parents are learning how to become more supportive of gay teens, he says. The network has also trained many school officials on how to reduce gay hate crimes in
the school place.
Schools today have more openly gay staff members, then in the past, who can help young gay teens, says Tony Augelli, an associate dean at Carolina State University.
In a national survey, one-third of psychologists said they had counseled students or parents about sexual orientation issues.
In the 1990s, a handful of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs were in high schools; now 3,200 are registered with the network, James says.
The Internet also has become one of the main reasons isolation for gay teens has evaporated, offering a place for meeting like-minded and supportive peers.
Cultural diversity is more prevalent
Teens are coming out today when more and more Americans than ever are more accepting of gays in society. In 2006, 54% found homosexuality acceptable, compared with 38% in 1992, and
gays are becoming recognized for their specific contributions to society whether that's helping and understanding women and their needs and/or helping straight guys become less
hostile and more cultural and desireable to women.
Gay youths swim in a cultural universe that's more pro-gay than ever, says Ritch Williams, a psychologist at Yale University, "kids can see gays in a positive light," he says.
The recent news and controversy that Vice President Cheney's daughter Mary is expecting a baby with her lesbian partner has even brought gay parenthood into the republican administration.
By the time gays want to settle down and raise a family, many gays have known their preferences for a long time.
Gay males and lesbians often feel attractions towards the same sex as early as grade school.
Vance grew up surrounded by ranches in rural Texas being made fun of and called "fag" as early as first grade. "I didn't even know what it was, but kids would say
it to anyone that they thought was different or odd" he says. "I didn't know why the singled me out 'cause i liked stuff like sports and I was comfortable hanging out with guys and girls.
By middle school, "I had a girlfriend, hoping guys would leave me alone." But Vance couldn't make himself feel straight and I didn't fool anybody, anyway.
Zach had been taught by the church that being gay was wrong. "I spent a lot of time denying I had feelings for guys," says Zach. At age 12 he told his parents he was attracted to his best friend Perry.
"I told them that I wasn't going to live a lie anymore. That this was really who I was."
His father wasn't excited to hear his son was gay. "You have to admit,any parent who says his first reaction isn't 'No, no!' is probably lying," he says.
"Me and my wife felt sad. We just thought we'd have a daughter-in-law and grandchildren someday just like everyone else. It's a disappointment, but it's a selfish disappointment. We knew we had to get past that.
"Truth is there are some parts of being gay that I'll never understand," he concedes, "but that doesn't mean I can't be supportive and love Zach."
A struggle for the parents
How parents deal with news their son is gay has a huge effect on their entire familys' lives, says Ryan Caitlin , a social researcher at UCSF in San Francisco, who is studying the families of gay guys.
Families usually move gradually from rejection to acceptance when the shock wears off, he says. Parents with strong religious beliefs that beiing gay is always wrong find it hardest to accept their
gay teens, he says.
In some homes, that means throwing a gay child out. How many gay teens meet that fate nobody really knows, but a disproportionate share of young homeless people in the USA gay. Several cities have shelters for gay kids,
but there's not enough help for all the homeless gay kids out there, says Sharon Siciliano of the Ali Forney Center, which houses young gay runaways in Los Angeles.
Tomlinson, who coordinates a drop-in program in suburban Chicago, sees teens from all kinds of families. "Gay kids from the suburbs drive up in new SUVs their parents bought them.
But sometimes they're afraid to come out to parents because of what they've heard their parents say at home. Other kids have to beg for bus fare to get here. All would like to tell
their parents their gay and be accepted, but not all of them can."
Not all students and faculty like the soaring number of school-based gay/straight alliances and adult-led programs for gay teen kids. "Being gay is harmful to society, and
young people have no business committing to a sexual identity until they're adults," says Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council. He supports a new Georgia law that requires
schools to tell parents about school clubs and allows the parents to not allow their children to participate in gay/straight alliances, regardless of how discriminatory that may be.
Lobbying to pass similar laws is going on in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, says Joe Glover of the Family Policy Network. "Parents shouldn't have to check their
rights at the school room door," he says.
Researchers have stated that most gay teens have worse mental health and higher suicide rates than straight teens. But these conclusions are primarily
based on small, older studies skewed to troubled youths. A few newer studies suggest teens who are bisexual may have the worst problems. But most research has grouped them with gays.
Young gay guys are more likely than straight teens to think about or try suicide, but there's no solid evidence they're more likely to follow through and kill themselves, says sociologist
Stephanie Russ of the Arizona State University. She has analyzed findings from a study of 12,000 teens followed up to a decade so far. Those with same-sex attractions are more depressed
and anxious, Russell says, but there's also evidence that many who identify as gay teens eventually grow up to be straight. He says stigma and prejudice still prompt undue stress for
gay kids.
Studies on gay boys predominate, so young lesbians are more of a mystery. Unlike boys, most girls also have opposite-sex attractions.
And strong emotional bonds are more key in sparking girls' sexual attractions.
Another study focuses on today's
gay youths: friendships and romances. They're teenagers first, and teenagers are obsessed with their peer networks, especially
their online personas.
Some young gay kids say: "I sometimes worry that I'll never be able to find the kind of gay guy I want."
Gay teens worry about this more than straight teens because best friends are usually the same sex. Gays are unique in agonizing
over whether to turn friendships into crushes, often thinking they'll lose a friend whether they're straight or gay.
Worry about finding a boyfriend was strongly linked to anxiety and depression. When you subtract this worry, young gay teens were no more anxious or depressed than straight teens.
"We have to start looking at their whole lives, not just sexual orientation. By focusing on sex, we may be missing that they're painfully normal teenagers."
Many adults might be surprised that what concerns
gay teens the most: We want long-term relationships. We want families, we want children."
Prince Harry
Won't Be Shipped To
Iraq
Looks like Prince Harry will not be sent to Iraq due to a number of
specific threats
from insurgents that may expose the third in line to the kingdom as
well as his regiment to a degree of risk.
22-year-old Prince Harry, who has been adament all along of leading
his tank unit in Iraq, said he is
extremely disappointed but understood the decision would keep his
fellow soldiers from harm.
Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Sir Richard Dannatt, said the decision was
due to specific threats
received from insurgents to the prince and risks to the safety of his
fellow soldiers.
As previously reported here on GSR, Harry had been expected to
deploy to Iraq in May but Dannatt,
who recently returned from Iraq, said the situation there had become
too dangerous, and media scrutiny
of the plans had exacerbated the situation.
Dannatt says ``There have been a number of specific threats, some
reported and some not reported,
that relate directly to Prince Harry as an individual,'' ``These
threats exposed him and those around him
to a degree of risk we considered unacceptable.''
The Prince's office issued a formal statement declaring the prince
was disappointed
that he will not be able to ship to Iraq with his troop as he had hoped
all along.''
``He understands and supports Gen. Dannatt's difficult decision and
remains
committed to his military career,'' Clarence House said.
Harry has always spoken of his desire to see active service. On
his 21st birthday he said he would not have gone through the rigors of
officer training
at the elite Sandhurst military academy ``then sit on my arse back home
while my boys
are out fighting for their country.''
The decision came three days after Iraqi insurgents captured three
U.S. soldiers
and amid claims that many militia groups in Iraq were making plans for
the Prince's arrival.
Media reports in both England and Iraq have quoted Iraqi insurgents
as "planning
to kill or kidnap the prince", and have distributed his photo among
militants
in the city of Basra. One newspaper report quoted a militant leader
saying
he planned to take the prince hostage and to send him back to the Queen
``without his ears.''
Britain's Defense Ministry said the decision has always been kept
under
review amid concerns for the security of second lieutenant Harry, and
other
soldiers serving with him. Harry is a tank commander trained to lead a
12-man
team in four armored reconnaissance vehicles.
Looking ahead, the decision to keep Harry out of Iraq could have a
devastating
impact on the morale of the British troops in Iraq, said Charles
Heyman, the editor of the book, ``Armed Forces of the UK'' and
a former british soldier.
``Soldiers may look at this decision and say: 'If it's too bloody
dangerous for the Prince, then it's
too dangerous for us. Is the prince's life worth more than mine?' From
a political point
of view, yes. But from a morale point of view the answer
is no,''
As Britain prepares to withdraw troops from southern Iraq
and hand security to Iraqi forces, more focus is being concentrated on
British soldiers
being stationed at Basra Palace and Basra air base, rather then actual
combat zones.
And that would make it easier for Iraqi militants to find the prince
and his regiment
and has raised concern that the prince's presence would heighten the
risks of his fellow
soldiers.
Although commended for his determination and his undoubted talent,
his fellow soldiers will
miss his leadership in Iraq and this decision could have a negative
effect on Harry as well.
``If he didn't go to Iraq or Afghanistan he'd be just about the only
person in
the British army who hadn't been on operations,'' he said. ``As a
combat soldier
he would have no credibility whatsoever.''
Original GSR Article:
Looks like Prince Heartthrob will indeed be shipping out to Iraq soon. The spokesperson for
the British army said that Harry had decided himself that
he wants to serve with a combat unit in Iraq.
Military commanders reportedly had thought against their initial decision to
allow the prince to go to Iraq for fear he would become a target of terrorists and
the fact his presence could also endanger other soldiers. Harry's regiment,
the Blues and Royals, begins a six-month tour of duty in Iraq within a few weeks.
Over the past couple of weeks, british newspapers have reported threats by
Iraqi terrorists to kill or kidnap the prince, including claims his photograph
had been widely circulated among militants for definite identification. Military chiefs
acknowledge that Harry would probably be a prime target and that his presence
could lead to more attacks on British forces.
General Sir Richard Dannatt said the decision would still be reviewed, but he hoped
this statement would end the media furer on Harry's deployment.
"The decision has been taken by myself that he will deploy with his regiment," Dannatt
said. "I would urge that the frenzied media activity surrounding this particular
story should cease in the interests of the overall security of all our solidiers serving
in Iraq."
Dannatt spoke after media reports cited senior military officials as saying
an army review was likely to lead to Harry being banished from battle, although
he could still perform desk job duties.
Prince Charles' London office, Clarence House, would not comment on Dannatt's
statement.
Harry, the 22-year-old second lieutenant tank commander, is trained to lead a
12-man team in four armored reconnaissance vehicles. If deployed to Iraq, he would become
the first royal to serve in a war zone since Prince Andrew, his uncle, flew a
helicopter in Britain's war in the Fakland Islands, with Argentina in 1982.
The youngest, and most controversial son, of the late Princess Diana,
Harry has a love/hate relationship with Britain's tabloid newspapers, which
have provided a constant stream of coverage of his party-going lifestyle at
glitzy London nightclubs, as well as his commending education and military life.
Harry has said all along that he is serious about an army career. After graduating
from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 2006, Harry insisted on an opportunity
to serve in the armed forces. He may have his chance real soon
Freckle-faced Prince Harry, the royal rascal who has led a life of popularity and privilege is also an army officer — and he could soon be heading to Iraq to face the reality of war.
Although nothing has been released by royal officials, there has been no decision about his deployment to Iraq.
Ministry of Defense has dismissed such reports as speculative. Newspapers are filling pages about the security
headache a war zone assignment for Harry — who is third in line to the throne — could bring for the British army.
"Prince Harry's always wanted to be treated as an ordinary soldier," the Daily Mirror quoted an unnamed army source as saying.
"But he's not an ordinary soldier, of course, he's royalty."
When the Prince, 22, left Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006, he became a second lieutenant and joined the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry.
The defense ministry at that time said he could possibly be deployed to Iraq, but that there might be situations when the presence of a member of the
royal family could increase the risk for his comrades as well as himself.
Prince Harry himself was having none of it and refused to be treated any differently then other soldiers.
Prince Harry was quoted as saying: "There's no way I'm going to put myself through the rigors of Sandhurst, and then sit on my backside at home
while my boys are out fighting for England,"
"It's understandable that Harry would want to go," said William Wallace, a professor emeritus of international relations at the London School of
Economics and a British defense expert. "There's isn't any use being in the army unless you experience combat in a time of war."
Harry went to Eton, and has been described as "one of the gang" by gossip magazine Hello! Harry is considered more impetuous than
his elder brother Prince William; he has often been photographed on his way out of posh London nightclubs — and once scuffled with a cameraman.
Harry has always been a sort of rebel, acknowledging drinking underage and smoking marijuana in the past, and in 2006, he issued an
apology after being pictured in a national newspaper at a costume party dressed with a swastika armband.
Prince Harry also has a bit of his mom's philanthropic side, he's also been photographed working with AIDS orphans in Africa during a year spent
abroad. And while Harry has been pictured with a beer or a cigarette in his hand, stories about his possible deployment to Iraq were accompanied by more
dignified shots of the prince in battle gear. Prince Harry can party with the best and also be serious when the need arises.
"Of course it would be a lie to say he will be treated like everyone else — even though he'll want to be like everyone else — but he won't be able to because he is a prince," said Godfrey,
a former Army officer who has served in Iraq. Godfrey said that one of the obstacles to the prince serving in combat is him being a target for terrorist.
And now the media publicity surrounding Prince Harry's deployment in April could affect whether he is actually sent to Basra, Iraq.
More than 100 British soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the beginning of the war in 2003.
So for now it's a catch 22 with some thinking the military will be very wary about getting it right — getting it right in the public eye," he said. "If he doesn't go, (the public) will say, bad decision, because they're treating him like royalty.
"But if he does go and gets hurt, then it'll be a bad decision," Godfrey said. "The fact that he's a royal celebrity makes it a difficult decision."
How to Mend a
Broken Heart
The most important ingredient in fostering a healthy committed gay relationship is trust and is the glue that keeps two guys together.
Trust is the agreement that your partner will respect you and not take advantage of or hurt you in any way. It’s a feeling that should be
genuine, authentic, dependable, and sincere. When you have this connection you can be completely uninhibited and open yourself up to being vulnerable
and share your most intimate thoughts and feelings.
Trust takes time to develop and is a benchmark of a successful relationship, it can be quickly damaged if not nurtured and cause severe
consequences for the future of the relationship if one of the two is involved in an indiscretion. Once the trust has been compromised, it can be difficult to repair, and
quite possibly irreversible. Listed here are some tips to restore the lost trust when your boy wanders off in search of someone new.
The Shattered Foundation
All the time you both have spent together and invested in the relationship can come crashing down once trust has been violated by either one of you,
and there's really no quick fix solution. Maybe he cheated on you. Perhaps you told him a little lie. Or he might have broken a promise to you.
Even though the indescretion might seem miniscule, the dynamics and the sense of security the relationship has shared will likely be shifted
and both parties will look at each other suspiciously.
Developing trust with someone that has a history of emotional/verbal/physical abuse, where there's a chance one’s feelings can be
minimized or ignored, or when there’s unresolved grief or hurt from the past is a tough hurdle to get over. Your own family background and prior experiences
in relationships (if you've had any yet) can also be contribute to difficulties with trust, as well as stress, low self-esteem, and addictions, which include both drugs
and sex. Just being gay can make us mistrustful because of the years some us might have spent hiding as a straight or confused kid. And when
the boy we fall in love with betrays that ultimate brotherhood bond, it can be devastating and lead to an almost paranoid state of codependency and becoming
hypersensitive to any possible indication of disloyalty to compensate for and protect against getting hurt again. Your intimate time suffers and you become distant.
Tips For Rebuilding Trust
But there is good news, it is possible to heal and move on from broken trust and actually gain a stronger relationship or one with better understanding.
You should decide if you are really interested in salvaging your relationship with each other and that you’re doing it for the right reasons though.
There's no reason to force a relationship just because the other guy is 'hot' and you must be with him. That's definitely the wrong reason and probably
one of the main reasons couples end up fighting. Of course it sucks being alone and having to start over again but it's better being alone then with someone
that doesn't respect you. Also, make sure your motives are in the right place and that you both want to salvage the relationship because it's worth saving.
Here are some recommendations that can help promote repairing trust to a new level of intimacy:
Figure out if your relationship is carrying some baggage from your past ; your boyfriend is not your ex or your father who may have hurt
you before. Focus on him and today and deal directly with reality and not distractions or what ifs or could a beens.
Be kind to others. Nothing can help you feel good about yourself and the human spirit better than serving those in need or random acts of kindness. This
helps renew the fact that there is goodness in people and can be accomplished in many ways. Be sure access your support system too.
You and your boy will need to learn how to communicate better and listen to each other. You might even want to search for a trained
therapist if you both think it's necessary. Difficult discussions will be presented and you each of you will need to be able to vocalize yourself and understand
each other’s needs. Acknowledging each other’s experiences of the problem and reaching some sort of an understanding of how and why this happened
will help tremendously with the healing process.
You will both need to take responsibility for what role you played in the indiscretion and be open to apologizing and forgiving each other.
You might even want to create a new “relationship contract”, agreeing to behavior that’s fair and ensuring you each agree to these same definitions.
Make sure to identify any unrealistic expectations to avoid any set-ups for sabotage.
You should both create a healing climate in your relationship. Maybe stop going out so much or hanging out with friends. Spending quality time together
will allow you both to understand each other's pain as well as needs and let go of all the competition, jealousy, blame, or defensiveness. Introduce new attention
and understanding of each other’s needs. Demonstrate to each other consistently that you are each priorities to one another and remember
that you get back what you put into your relationship.
Monitor your self-talk and stop any negative thoughts that could interfere with your relationship efforts and your own self-esteem. Once you both feel more confident
that the relationship is healthy, begin the process of re-establishing a secure identity where you’re open to taking risks and being vulnerable again.
Learn to “let go” of any bitterness to allow each of you the opportunity to grow and change. Talk about your positive memories, behaviors,
interactions, and characteristics of each other to keep you balanced and hopeful.
Conclusion
The road to recovery from torn up trust can lead you to a lot of self-discovery and growth in your relationship a positive mindset.
Recognize how trust issues play out between you and your boyfriend, identify behavior that you both need to overcome, and confront any blocks that
might hold you back from your goals. Also, realize that trust needs constant feeding in relationships and that the hardest thing in the world for you both to
do right now is an essential component of moving forward—becoming vulnerable again. But by opening yourself up, you’ll truly be able to see if you’re
loved for who you really are and you’ll be a more attractive and a happier person in life as a person as well as a couple.
Getting
Liquid
How many
gay teenage boys masturbate?
We all know surveys have consistently shown that more than 95% of
gay teens engage in masturbation.
Some say the other 5% are liars or sexually frigid. From the responses GSR received, it sounds like every
gay guy is doing it and all the time or at least as much as they can get away with.
Some surveys went on to say there was no difference in the rate of masturbation between boys brought up in a Christian environment compared to
those brought up without Christian influence. The boys from Christian backgrounds did, however, feel more guilt over masturbation. Boo hoo for them.
It's obvious
gay boys cannot fail to know about masturbation at a young age these days since it is a regular topic at school yard and the Internet.
(A 2005 Internet survey (3) claimed 70% of
young boys had masturbated by their 12th birthday and 94% by their 13th birthday).
Will my other friends know I have been masturbating?
I feared my friends would be able to tell. I thought I might act different or walk differently the next day after masturbating. I remember my peers
accusing me of doing it, and I didn't say anything to defend myself, because I knew it was true. I tried to quit altogether a few times, although quitting
never lasted more than a couple of days or a week at most.
If you clean up after masturbating, then no-one will be able to tell - including your parents. The only clue would be if your penis was red and sore from too much masturbation.
Why do I feel guilty afterwards?
After I'm done masturbating I usually feel guilty and don't know why. I know that almost 95% of all
gay guys do it, but I still feel guilty.
It's like I'm hiding something. age 12, Canada
How come whenever I'm done masturbating, I feel like I was being stupid and have the urge to put on my clothes immediately? age 14, New York
That is an extremely common reaction, and it's almost certainly physiological (i.e., physical rather than mental) in origin. For most
gay boys,
something just shuts their brain off to sex when they're done ejaculating. For many, this manifests itself in the form of guilt -- that you were "being stupid"
(as you put it), or they ask themselves, "Why did I just do that?" This is all normal, and you'll probably outgrow it as you get older.
Some males find less problem with the feelings of guilt if they only masturbate before they go to sleep at night. That way, the body and mind has
many hours to chill out before tackling the outside world again.
Why can't I stop masturbating?
If I could go back 2 years, I would not have started to masturbate in the first place. First, I feel guilty. Second, it now takes up a lot of my time.
Third, I don't think it has benefited me in any way — it has just made me less pure. I think
masturbation is a waste of my time. I don't even really enjoy it, and I
feel miserable afterwards. Why the heck can't I stop masturbating? age 17, Nova Scotia, Canada
An Internet survey asked the following question about masturbation:
"Not counting your childhood, what is the most number of days you've gone without masturbating?"
4 or less days 27.6%
5 or 6 days 22.7%
7 to 30 days 41.7%
more than 30 days 8.0%
The results may be slanted by the background of the people answering a survey of this type, but as you can see, the trend is that
half the males could not go longer than a week and less than 8% could go without masturbating for more than a month!
The need to periodically release semen is so strong, especially in a young gay male, that the urge to masturbate is nearly unavoidable.
Even if you are able to stop masturbating for a while (like a week), your body may respond by releasing semen at night in a nocturnal emission
(or "wet dream")
The biological reason you can't stop masturbating for a long time is that the sexual pressure continues to build within you because of the
hormone called testosterone in your blood. The sexual pressure continues to build (whether you want it to or not) until you ejaculate your semen
by some method. Most likely we guys are designed this way to ensure the human race continues to multiply.
The best advice seems to be that if find the need to masturbate, then to accept it as a normal part of your being.
Weird things happen when I do stop masturbating!
Once during the summer after my junior year (age 16), I was too tired at night to masturbate. I went an entire week this way.
Toward the end of the week, not only was I having vivid sex dreams but I was almost hallucinating — everything I saw had a sexual component or
context. I was "seeing" genitalia in all things (and in the worst possible ways). To tell you the truth, I don't recommend it.
I gave up porn a few months ago and I gave up masturbation for Lent. Well I fully intend on holding true to that promise but it's been
really hard so far and it has only been 9 days! Just seeing a guy or a pic of a guy or seeing a guy on T.V makes me get a hard-on and not just for a
few seconds. I'm talking staying hard for a good 20-30 mins at times and not only that, I'm thinking about porn more often now too.15 year old boy - USA
I'm 17. Recently I went a few days without masturbating, and to my surprise I found myself notably more attracted to guys. I suddenly found myself staring
at guys I'd never noticed before, as if I were in love. Did my abstaining from masturbation lead to this at all?
Probably. If you're used to ejaculating regularly, going without can really mess with your head. The results can vary; in your case it seems to
have been rather pleasant, but others report almost a temporary insanity, when you're liable to do things and think things you definitely wouldn't otherwise.
Over time, the sexual pressure builds again and the boy will feel compelled to express the sexual pressure in his body again no matter how
strong his determination was to 'never do it again'.
No masturbation!
It's really easy for me to put off masturbating. When I was 13, I masturbated for about a year but haven't done so since. I don't need to
masturbate and I don't have a boyfriend. I have a wetdream in my sleep about once every 2 months. ...it seems that I am the only person who
does not masturbate. age 22, Australia
I recently tried to quit masturbation and in the process I ended up sleeping with my boyfriend While trying to quit I went so nuts that I lost my virginity with him.
Regular masturbation had controlled my passion in the past when I was with him. I thought I was stronger and when I quit masturbating the passion
got too strong. Right now I am facing a lot of mental anguish and have had thoughts of suicide. 19 year old - Florida
What about the fantasies (lust)?
If you have a problem with sexual fantasies or sexual temptation, they are not weird or oversexed as some think; they are
very normal.
Every boy, without exception, will find the connection between lust and sexual turn-on, whether they are looking for that connection or not.
This connection often begins with a wet dream, which obviously is totally outside the control of any boy.
After that connection has been established, it is permanently resident in every boy's brain. The next step is "how do I handle this new side of my
personality"?
You've got two options:
1. Control the fantasies and lust as best you can and masturbate when the internal hormonal pressure causes the sexual pressure to build.
This option keeps your sexual nature as an important part of his personality in the context originally designed.
2. Feed the fantasies and lust and cultivate a sexual desire from porn or fantasies.
The more frequently you masturbate, the more fantasy you require to get an orgasm each time. This option becomes a vicious circle - the more
you feed your lust, the more it demands to be fed!
Guys in the early stages of puberty
Young guys in the early stages of puberty often report that it is difficult for them to regulate their masturbation. This is possibly because their
immature bodies are flooded with hormones that they haven't had time to adjust to yet.
My advice to guys in this situation, is that if you aren't feeding the lust with porn and deliberately filling your eyes with other guys bodies then this is
probably the best you can do at this stage.
What about masturbation with other guys?
Masturbation with other males strengthens the link of sexual excitement directed toward males that might direct your sexuality in that direction if you want it to.
Many young guys compare erections and masturbate with other young guys out of curiosity. This is not a big deal. It doesn't necessarily mean you are gay
because it turned you on, it may be more of a passing curiosity phase. If you have been involved in comparing erections with other guys, then let enjoy it and don't dwell - don't get
locked into the guilt of having the presence of another boy with you as your method of getting turned on. If it does turn you on then go with it, if not, then stop.
Q & A
How much masturbation is too much?
Every boy is created with a different temperament so it is difficult to define 'too much' masturbation. A few boys never masturbate
(so they claim), others do it occasionally and at the other end of the spectrum, others do it several times a day. There is no such thing as
a healthy or unhealthy amount but just like anything else it shouldn't interfere with your social life.
My penis gets red and sore from masturbation. What can I do to stop that happening (other than stopping masturbation) 14 year old boy, Australia
Some guys use lubrication (lube) when they masturbate. Don't use soap or shampoo because they will irritate the skin on your penis and inside
the uretha (slit) of your penis. Lube also produces pleasant sensations during masturbation and can be bought at any grocery or drug store.
Advice on being discrete
"Even if you know it's normal and all that, you still lock the door! You don't go around advertising that you're doing it.....
Everybody does it, but they sort of pretend they don't" (2) 16 year old boy USA
Vocabulary
Masturbation
It's sex-by-yourself, it's "solo-sex." Stimulating (usually rubbing) the penis to achieve orgasm and ejaculation. (slang - wanking, jerking off,
jacking off, beating the meat, beating off, whacking off, spanking the monkey... and lots of others)
Semen
The fluid that comes out your penis during ejaculation. Sperm live in this fluid (slang - cum, jizz, spooge)
Ejaculation
Literally means "suddenly" and refers to semen coming out of the erect penis. (slang - cuming, shooting your wad, spooging)
Orgasm
Intense feelings and muscle contractions associated with ejaculation.
Lust
Feelings toward others of sexual: craving; eagerness; desire; passion; urges.
Fantasy
Imagining sexual acts with others gay boys in order for you to achieve ejaculation.
Best Friend
Crush
Kyle and I have been friends since our parents took us both to day care back in the day. I guess we
were always together mainly 'cause our parents carpooled us to school and we always seemed to get along with each other more then with the other kids. It's not like we were loners in our own world, we just
seemed to like the same things and fascinated each other with something new all the time. I guess it was around third grade that I started seeing Kyle as attractive even though him and I would
talk about girls all the time. I just never really separated the two. They were cute and attractive to me and so was Kyle, no big deal is what I thought.
Growing up we had the closeness that comes from being best friends, swimming, surfing, and just hanging out during and after school. We were pretty much inseparable and our parents encouraged
it 'cause together we were loads of fun and always had some new adventure to talk about. I think it helped that our parents were best friends too 'cause that would mean that we'd take trips together and
spend time at each others house a lot. I don't even remember fighting much 'cause most of the time we were either just playing or dreaming about things together.
Then puberty hit, hard. Kyle developed a little bit earlier then me. I remember the time we were swimming out
in our pool and he raised his arm and I saw hair on him for the first time. I said something
about it and he was sorta embarrassed about it. Like it was weird he was growing up and I wasn't yet. I don't know why but seeing him in the pool that day, more as a teen then a kid now that he was growing
hair, is what did me in. From that very moment I was hooked on Kyle but in a way I wasn't familiar with and didn't know if he felt the same way too.
Since Kyle was my best friend, the last thing I wanted to do was freak him out
and I knew that he would understand anything I was going through 'cause we had always been so close and didn't have
any secrets between each other. Since I hadn't experienced these kinds of feelings before, especially for a boy, I sorta became introverted that day 'cause I was trying to sort out these
feelings.
Kyle knew something was up right away, he always knows and he always calls me out on it. He asked me if something was wrong or if I was hurt or something. I said no but that I started feeling weird
about things in a sexual way and he said that yeah, he was started to feel those sorta things too now that he was getting older. He asked if it was about a girl we both knew that swam with us sometimes
and I said no, that it wasn't a competitive thing with him or anything like that. He kept asking and I knew that that's just how Kyle was, he was just concerned and wanted his friend back.
Knowing this I thought it was just best to be honest so I told him that seeing him with armpit hair sorta made me attracted to him in a sexual way. In typical Kyle fashion he just said if it made
me freak then he would shave it off, we both laughed and then he swam up really close to me and said 'dude, it's ok, don't hide your feelings 'cause it will just drive you crazy, you're my friend and
i will always care for you and anything we go through we can work out'. This was Kyle, looking back this was probably one of the main reasons I feel so hard for him.
Kyle and I have still remained best friends. In fact, we're probably closer now then we've ever been. After that initial crush I started puberty and Kyle would make fun of my body growth too. He
constantly flirts with me and has now started to be even more affectionate then before. When people ask whether he's gay he says no but his boyfriend is. That would be me.
Because Kyle is so comfortable with me being gay, or at least questioning, I have also learned to respect his
boundaries, I don't try and mess with him or pretend some day he'll turn gay for me. He's
just not that way, just like maybe I'm not going to be straight, and I respect that. I do however love that he's so comfortable with me, actually more comfortable then even before when we were just best
friends, and I appreciate that he can be so affectionate with me, even in public, it makes me feel good I have such great friend like Kyle that supports and understands me and what I'm going through.
Someday I know I'll probably date a guy, or maybe even a girl, I'm still undecided. But in the meantime I have an amazing friend that gets me and gives me all the attention and good advice I need.
-Brian J.
Advice On
Coming Out
To Your
Family
And
Friends
You've thought about it a lot. So - you're sure you are
gay boy. Now what? It might help to tell somebody like a close friend or family member you can trust.
You don't have to do this but if you have problems at some point, you will have someone to turn to for support and advice and it might just help releasing this big thing
being held over your head. A person that you're close with that you can talk to about your life. But who should you to tell?
This is an even better question. It could be that you are more comfortable keeping all this to yourself since no one comes to mind that you feel comfortable talking with. Or you may wish to hide the fact
that you are gay and "live-a-lie". But this can be a lonely path to take–a way that can only make you feel more isolated from your family and friends.
So before you act, think it over carefully and only decide to come out if you feel you are really prepared and ready. You might never actually feel 'ready' but if it's burning your insides to tell someone that sometimes
it's just best to tell it to someone, anyone.
There is never any rush for you to do this and never consider doing it under any peer pressure. Some
gay teens live under constant intense pressure from fellow peers who are not gay positive and are actually abusive and homophobic.
This can be super intimidating and scare you into not coming out which can be a big mistake. There is often social pressure to act "straight" –especially if you are an athlete on a school team . Coming out to my high
school teen jocks is guaranteed to make me the butt head of endless jokes and catcalls –and so I have avoided that. And remember, you don't have to come out to everyone all at once. Pick your spots
carefully and find someone you can trust but again only when you are both ready for a serious talk. And there is no right time for this- only you can judge your own situation. Coming out without giving it lots of
thought and planning can lead to much emotional distress and unhappiness for both of you.
But what if a friend asks you if you are gay before you are ready to admit it. This is why it pays to have given this issue some advance thought. And if it's a trusted friend, then he or she has
just made it easier for you to bring up the subject. But again if you are not ready, then it's okay to tell a white lie and deny it. Later when you are more prepared you can tell your friend you regret
the lie but you just weren't ready to come out at that time. If truly a friend, your friend will understand.
So here's my advice about coming out:
Think it over carefully before you tell someone you trust. Try to imagine what their reaction may be and be prepared for it, not everyone's going to be thrilled or supportive.
If they say they already thought you might be gay, don't be upset; it just makes it easier on both of you and they're probably saying it to save you any heartache when you're telling them.
Do not to apologize for being gay. It's not your fault, in fact, it's not a fault at all..
If you get asked a ton of questions be as honest as possible. People won't expect you to be an expert but they'll probably have a lot of questions for you..
Don't come out just to shock someone. No one likes news like that thrown in their face. Don't do it to be emo either. You either are or you aren't.
Do not come out in the midst of an argument when everyone's upset.
It's probably best not to come out to a group of people since not all of the group members may ask questions that are supportive and will actually attempt to hurt you in order to impress the group or make it clear to the group that they are not gay.
Don't feel like you must tell everyone; you can come out only to certain people and the rest will eventually find out with time anyway.
You should probably expect some people to go on the attack with moral and relgious issues. Just listen to what they say and if they do not accept your responses, then they're not respecting you as a person.
If things don't go as you expected, it helps to have a prepared way out. Something like thanking them for their perspective and you hope that someday they'll be able to understand you better.
Some people will never accept the fact that you are gay. If this happens to you it is likely there is nothing you can do about it. Just accept that fact and don't continually push the gay thing on them.
Make an effort to get some literature both for yourself and the person you tell. It make may it easier to have a frank discussion.
Also, give the person you've come out to some breathing room to think about what you just told them 'cause it's a whopper. You don't have to discuss the whole gay issue right then and there. Let them absorb the basic fact first and maybe have a more detailed discussion later.
Some people only see the gay stereotypes and you may not fit the stereotype ingrained in their mind. Give them some time to accept you as a gay teen.
Give serious thought to coming out to a very homophobic family. Your life might not be the same after coming out to them and you might lose them. You could be thrown out of the house and told never to come back or you could be enrolled in treatment to correct your sexual urges.
Listen carefully to the person you are planning to come out to beforehand to get an idea of what their views on homosexuality are. This will help in deciding if they are an appropriate person to come out to and also help with the your strategy but will
not always be the case. Sometimes people react more with more sensitivity when they find out someone close to them is gay.
Come out to someone in person -never by email or over the phone
Its good to come out to someone for the support they can provide but remember to do so only when you are absolutely ready, the time is right and you've done some good solid planning. Personally I am out to a friend, my boyfriend (obviously), and just a month ago to my 15 year old bro. I am not yet out to my parents but that is not far off –I'm just not ready for that yet.
I'd also like to hear from you about your experiences coming out or your fears and post them here-if you agree to that. Just email me. Thanks -Jackson.
Here's what Focus on the Family
worries about when their boys show different behavior from other boys and question whether their boys will grow up to be
gay boys. I guess a
gay son can't be counted upon to ensure the preservation of masculinity and masculine control of society in the future, which we all know is so untrue. A lot of young
gay boys grow up to be strong masculine examples of men and continue to carry on doing manly things just like their straight counterparts.
1) Your boy has a strong feeling he is “different from other boys.” As we all know, boys must feel exactly like all other boys, or else they are clearly homosexual. Not in today's world. It's ok to be different. To actually have feelings, and
that doesn't necessarily mean you're a gay teen.
2) “A tendency to cry easily, be less athletic, and dislike the roughhousing that other boys enjoy.” Of course, on a relative scale, some boys are bound to be less athletic than others. Well, sorry. These boys are
gay boys. So not true. Tons of home schooled boys and charter schooled boys aren't subjected to the relentless athletic jock syndrome and grow up to be straight but not very athletic.
3) “A persistent preference to play female roles in make-believe play.” When you see him play cowboys and Indians, and he wants to be the squaw... uh, oh. I really don't know many gay or straight boys that do that. I think Focus on the Family is stretching it a bit here.
4) “A strong preference to spend time in the company of girls and participate in their games and other pastimes.” For example, boys must never play with their sisters. Isn’t that the leading cause of homosexuality right there? Why? Can't boys learn from girls and vice
versa without having sex being a part of the equation? Seems like straight boys would purposely want to play with girls to get closure to them and be a better prospective mate.
5) “A susceptibility to be bullied by other boys, who may tease them unmercifully and call them ‘queer,’ ‘fag’ and ‘gay.’” Yes, parents, if the kid next door calls your son a fag, then he is. Four year-old neighbors have a sixth sense: They see
gay boys. Ummm, aren't all boys constantly playing the domination role with their peers? Maybe parents need to teach their sons that name calling doesn't make them better
then other boys and that boys that don't fight back are actually a better person because of that.
6) “A tendency to walk, talk, dress and even ‘think’ effeminately.” Effeminate thinking is destroying our nation; someone better tell Condoleeza Rice. So what's more disturbing; the super jock on steriods or someone that crosses their
legs differently and speaks in complete sentences. Evolution people. Evolution.
7). “A repeatedly stated desire to be -- or insistence that he is -- a girl.” This is the clearest sign. Apparently, your young homosexual will actually announce his sexual orientation by telling you, while drinking his juicy-juice, that he is actually a girl. Not a gay. A girl. This is a whole different situation. Not all potential gay
boys have sexual identity confusion, in fact they like their manhood as well as other manhoods.
According to Dobson of Focus on the Family, any boy displaying “several” of these signs should be rushed off for professional help right away — before reaching puberty. Evidently, once the boys hit puberty the adolescent hormones kick in and teens experience
“great waves of guilt accompanied by secret fears of divine retribution.” I guess parents aren’t supposed to consider that this could be alleviated by ceasing to promote narrow-minded religious ideas about homosexuality. Fun stuff eh?