Gay community your family

By Michael M. Coats, director of Black Hills Area G.L.B.T. Youth Support and Resource Center in Rapid City. | Saturday, June 21, 2003

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I know there are going to be people reading this who say: "Gay Pride? You've got to be kidding." So let me start by saying that there is a lot of pride within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered community here in the Black Hills. I might add that it is not a small community. There are a lot of us here and there always has been!

We are not a group of militant radicals. We are your friends and your neighbors. We own businesses. We are your employees. We serve the whole community in many capacities. We shop in the stores, eat in the restaurants and attend your schools and sit next to you in church. We are an important part of your community. We are your community!

Many like myself grew up here in South Dakota, but moved to other parts of the country where we could be free to be who we are. But, like myself, most of us dreamed of being able to move home and be able to just be ourselves. "To be free to be me."

While none of us chose to be homosexual, we did choose to live a decent, honest, hard-working life. We are as diverse and unique as this country. We are Americans, and we are South Dakotans. We are proud of our contributions to both.

There are those who consider us to be anti-family. We are not anti-family! We are your families. We are your sons and your daughters. We are your brothers and sisters, your aunts and uncles. And in many cases, your mothers and fathers.

We love our families even when our families sometimes find it difficult to love us because of all the misinformation being spread about who we are and what we want.

We are here! We are proud! And we love you!

As I stated, most of us grew up around here. We know the struggle involved in trying to come to terms with who we are in this environment. We know the problems gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered youth face every day in the schools and in this community. That is why many of us have united to say: "Enough is enough."

It is with pride that we honor the courage shown by gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered youth in being themselves despite the harassment, discrimination and bigotry that confronts them every day. It is with that same pride that we honor the courage and unconditional love shown by parents and families for their gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered sons and daughters.

It is out of that pride that we have formed the Black Hills Area G.L.B.T. Youth Support and Resource Center. We are a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing support and resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered youth, their families, teachers and anyone who works with them.

We currently sponsor Gay RALLY (Respect ALL Youth). It is a support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered youth, ages up to 24. Its mission is to provide a safe, nonthreatening, nonsexual, alcohol- and drug-free, predator-free environment for these young people to come to terms with themselves and their environment. Our goal is to help them become whole, integrated, emotionally healthy, progressive, positive participants in their community.

We are also laying the groundwork to organize a support group for parents and families of G.L.B.T. youth. To provide them with the support, resources and assistance they need to help and understand their sons and daughters.

As I watch these young people, against all odds, carry themselves with dignity and self-assurance, I know what pride is! I also know that it is courage of the highest order.

Anyone wishing more information can call 343-4872 or write to P.O. Box 9693, Rapid City, SD 57709.