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Sessica Saelee, 17
What I liked about the LGBT Forum is the fact that they asked the audience questions and had them answer them out loud. They really interacted with the audience! Also I liked how there was a lot of people there supporting LGBT youth. Some of the questions that I liked from the audience were things like, “how can I help my child to come out and be who they are?”
What I didn’t like about the forum is that they didn’t really give information about how LGBT youth could come out to their parents and friends, I think it would be very helpful to the LGBT youth.The panel didn’t really respond well to all of the audience questions because they didn’t really have answer to some of the questions being asked.
I think they should have brought up more about the Gay Pride parade that is being talked about by some community members and they could have included how LGBT youth come out to their parents. My personal suggestions for the LGBT youth to come out are just to be fearless and tell their parents/friends that they want to speak to them and just explain to the what they and how they feel about being an LGBT.
[pullquote_left]I felt that when [Dr. Ryan] was asking people for their opinions about the subject because there were so many different responses that I didn’t expect. For example, someone said bullying was in many LGBT peoples lives and I expected that to be said but someone also mentioned AIDS and I was like dang I never actually thought about that! [/pullquote_left]
Ana Llimet, 16
As a young person and part of the LGBT community in Merced, I have never felt so accepted as I did on Thursday, August 8th at the LGBT Health Forum held at the Italo-American Lodge. Attended by community members and LGBT allies, the forum educated folks on how to react to things and where to go for help. The keynote speaker Dr. Caitlin Ryan opened up a whole new perspective and made you think, how it would make you feel if you were to grow up as LGBT by a list of steps of the hardships faced by young people, the labels, symptoms and a story timeline but all in all it was amazing.
I believe events like these could help our community by being open minded. Also on the sideline there were organizations showing support and letting the LGBT community know they were accepted, such as planned parenthood and Merced’s PFLAG. It’s nice to know if an LGBT youth is in need of help it’s there.
Lisbeth Vazquez, 16
I attended the LGBT forum last Thursday and I would say that it was very informational and I felt really comfortable there. It was just great how Dr. Caitlin Ryan made this whole LGBT subject talk in a way that made people comfortable to speak their thoughts. I felt that when she was asking people for their opinions about the subject because there were so many different responses that I didn’t expect. For example, someone said bullying was in many LGBT peoples lives and I expected that to be said but someone also mentioned AIDS and I was like dang I never actually thought about that! I think this was great for our community because it helps the community understand that LGBT people are no different than a straight person.
Jjakoba Starr Predmore, 17
The LGBT forum was actually pretty cool. I liked the vibe that went on. This old white guy, Dave at my table was really cool and he made me smile. Some of the selection of people that were there surprised me. I honestly expected more youth people to be there.
Diego Sandoval and the other panel people did great although I felt Diego’s story should have went last instead of first, it would have made it more impactful. Also the lady who spoke first and had the video that she showed made me feel a little “I’m lost in your words,” she could have used a more of an interesting speech. On the upside her video was really intense and emotional in a really positive empowering way.
For a last note they should have gotten a person with a negative opinion speak, not to cause a fight or anything just to see exactly the challenges our LGBT community faces and then after the forum ask if there opinion had changed at all, and if so what made them think differently. Overall, it went pretty good.
