I never thought that I would come out.
I have known I liked boys and girls ever since I was little, but speaking that into existence seemed forbidden.
That changed recently when I came out on social media while simultaneously announcing that I am my school’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance club’s new secretary.
The post was uploaded and I was met with surprise and support. I felt overwhelmed with my own anxiety and fear. When this went public, I knew I could be met with the disgust and homophobia of others. I have always surrounded myself with people full of love and tolerance, but there are always going to be people with prejudice in their hearts, either using other people’s identities as the butt of their jokes or treating them with genuine hatred and disgust.
The mixed emotions gave me whiplash. I felt tired, proud, and confused. I was afraid of looking too straight to be considered gay and being met with malice from preconceived notions of who I am. I am privileged.
Through the mixed emotions and anxiety I have been met with unconditional love and support from family and friends. Being in this position, I could only imagine how difficult this process would be for my peers whose only support comes from school provided resources.
We live in an age where sexuality and the protection of our community’s youth has become politicized. It is no longer just a question of who a person is attracted to or who a person identifies as. We are moving backwards.
On Aug. 14, 2023, the Grossmont Union High School district voted to terminate the long-existing contract with the mental health service San Diego Youth Services. This program provided for all students and had programs specifically geared towards LGBTQ youth.
These programs included services such as gender affirming care, drug and alcohol abuse resources, and community building. Queer youth have higher suicide rates. These services save lives.
Community members initiated the dissolution of this contract when they spoke against SDYS, describing them as having “creepy agendas” being pushed upon students.
Never once has a “creepy agenda” been pushed upon me, even as a gay student. These services have simply been available for the students who want to use them with parent consent.
GUHSD board members agreed with these misinformed community members, letting their own personal bias lessen their compassion for these children depending on the important resources that have been revoked. Church and state are no longer separate. These board members are violating students’ constitutional rights by allowing their own beliefs to obstruct their ability to adequately provide for their community.
They describe wanting to move to a service that better represents “East County values” even after cries of protest from the GUHSD community.
The new program, Wellness Together, does not provide specific services for LGBTQ+ youth.
This is unacceptable, considering queer children need specialized care due to higher rates of suicide and mental illness.
Not providing adequate care is inherently hateful, abusive, and directly contributes to higher suicide rates.
Editor’s note: This is a monthly opinion piece featuring takes in and out of the classroom from students at our area high schools. This month’s piece was written by Grossmont High School student Aubrey Wisniewski.
