LGB Alliance starts Helpline for teens and young adults

I doubt it will be released, more used in a police investigation.

I know that. But LGB Alliance get jumped on for literally breathing so if they said something as simple as LGB Kids they'd get crucified.

I really thought we’d long got past the idea that sexuality means sexual acts. And that someone talking about their sexuality means they’ll be talking about sex. Maybe because I’m old and I remember homophobes shuddering at the idea of two men engaging in anal sex, which is where their mind leapt to with the idea of two men in a relationship. And the counter argument was that most people didn’t go to a straight wedding and spent the entire time wondering what the bride and groom would be doing in bed on their wedding night. Do straight people only know their sexuality on the occasion they lose our virginity? How do they know who to have sex with in the first place?

Surely sexuality is a descriptor of the sex class one is attracted to, who forms the target of our romantic and sexual desires. And as it is perfectly normal for 13-15 year olds to be having romantic and sexual desires then it seems appropriate for them to say they are L, G or B if that is the case. Whether they are acting on those desires or not.

i have no problem with a helpline offering services to a 13-24 year old cohort, providing so the volunteers are trained to respond appropriately to the different needs of the younger and older callers, which it seems is the case. As has been said, it’s a discreet 1:1 discussion with a trained volunteer to provide assurance and signpost help for teenagers and young adults, not an invite to a big social gathering.

they may have been doubt they'd release any of it though, why bother? They are aware of how some see them, much like charities like Mermaids know how some view them and know they will receive abuse and threatening behaviour.

Shame we have so many despicable human beings in the world who believe violence and intimidation are ever ok.

I imagine they have all been recorded.

I'm surprised they only got 78.

do we take everything people say as truth?

if this was a trans charity who said this, most on here would scoff that it wasn't true. both ends of the spectrum have nutters who just want an excuse to be a terrible human being.

I think that the service should definitely be split, and you have to be very, very careful about offering a service like this to children.

Not that it isn't needed, goodness knows kids need something and someone to talk to as they aren't getting it from schools.

But just triaging on self identified age really worries me.

Sex is illegal before the age of consent. Or is supposed to be.

Therefore there can not be LGB children, but children who grow up to be LGB.

And I expect lots of under age callers will want to talk about the sec part

really? Do you really think young teens want to talk in graphic detail about their sexual experiences and desires, what they did or didn’t do, or what they want to do? To an adult stranger? I don’t think anyone I ever knew at that age would have done that, regardless of sexuality.

Or do you not think it more likely that young people struggling to come to terms with same sex attraction want the opportunity to talk in general terms about their feelings about who they are attracted to and what their desires mean? And get assurances that this is perfectly ok?

It's based on a knowledge of gender ideology, which trans activists support though not everyone who identifies as trans does.

I think the safeguarding will be difficult to get right but should not be a reason not to open a helpline.

Letting a kid talk about how they feel and work out if they might be LGB needs to be done without actually talking about the sex part of being LGB. Because talking about sex with children is wrong one on one like this. And I expect lots of under age callers will want to talk about the sec part. I was a young teen experimenting with a girl and confused because I liked boys too. Now I know I'm Bi but as a young teen would have really appreciated a helpline to call to be told it doesn't matter I don't have to make a decision if I'm lesbian or straight just yet and by the way bisexual exists sounds like you don't know that. But they would have to have that conversation with such young people without allowing them to discuss what they may have been doing with others while they experiment and in a way that doesn't shut the young person down and feel like their sexuality is shameful. Very very hard task on the hands of the volunteers there- they will need some amazing training. And I imagine some amazing support as they are going to hear some difficult stuff from the people they want to support in addition to the violent threats they are already getting!!

I think the point about there are not LGB children is that children should not be sexually active? And shouldn't have things discussed with them in a way that normalises being sexually active under age. But they most definitely exist and will be realising they are not strait even if not sexually active yet they will be finding people attractive.

Maybe they should have a blanket policy they don't discuss the details of sexual acts with those old enough to be engaging in it. As I'm not sure it's really appropriate to talk the details. They need to be told it's ok and not shameful without needing to give details. But then how can they be safeguarded from abuse if they haven't given details? 🤔.

I do also think avoiding talking the explicit details is wise or they are going to have pervs calling making shit up who get a kick out of saying outrageous things. Maybe not even made up stuff but they are getting their thrills out of talking about it. If they have a policy not to allow details to be spoken about they could avoid some of that.

It's absolutely a needed service. I would have benefited from it massively I know that. I'm happy to read they are open to feedback as I think they will have some real challenges getting this right

Bit revealing that you went straight to talking about trans people there...

"Why would a charity helping young people attract such vitriol, other than because of genderism's deep seated homophobia"

🙄

Transgender people are homophobic? What, all of them? Some of them? A few of them? What's that opinion based on?

What she said 👆🏻

Grim.

But reveals that how seriously needed and important their presence is.

Why would a charity helping young people attract such vitriol, other than because of genderism's deep seated homophobia?

I know thread has moved on but just wanted to say that They are far from the only organisation providing services to young ppl categorised as between 13-25. Off the record work with young people aged 11-25 https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/

The LGB Alliance has just posted on Twitter (yes I know I need to work out how to do links) they have had 78 abusive and threatening calls, threats of rape and violence, in 3 hours

Your reading comprehension is poor if you think that the quote you've posted supports what you're claiming,

The quote is making a subtle point, to distinguish between "LGB children" and being LGB as a child.

This was posted earlier, from the Mermaids v LGBA court case.

It's Kate Harris, co-founder of LGB Alliance who's saying LGB kids don't exist.

I have read the description.

I have explained my concern, which aligns with Allison Bailey's and SSA's concern.

Re-defining children as 'young people' is problematic.

I've read the description, and LGBA's page, and the point about separating children from adults makes sense.

I'm sure this has the potential to be a really useful service, and they need to hold safeguarding at the forefront.