Lambda Aloha                Kauai
GLBT Youth Greeting Page
Aloha!

Welcome to the GLTB Youth Greeting Page. This is a new area for us, so if things look
sketchy here, it's because they are, but we hope that with a little time we'll get some
real information up here for you. Of course, always feel free to explore the rest of the
site as well.

If someone wants to help out with supporting this area of the site, please contact:
Ken@LambdaAloha.com. You do not have to know HTML or have any knowledge of site design.
Just have ideas that you would like to share with others your age and be responsible. The
technical side is really easy, because there isn't any. If you can write a paragraph and edit
artwork then you can do this. We spend about 2 hours a week maintaining the site, so it's not
going to be a huge commitment either.
Lets start with some information to protect you.

First, please realize that if you are turning to an older person to help you in some way (most likely this is with dealing with your
sexuality) that you are placing yourself in a position where you could be taken advantage of (in one form or another). It is not difficult
to figure out that many people have their own agenda, and while this is something they own, it may not be the best for you. Always
make sure that you protect yourself and your friends, family and others close to you.

Many of us have come out to friends and family members only to discover that they "already know", and this is a huge relief. But
many other times, young people are disowned, cast out of their family (at least initially), scorn by friends, and made to feel isolated.
While this is the exception, it is important to realize each end of the spectrum that you may encounter. Only you know your friends,
family and others close to you. You are the only one who can make any kind of prediction of how information may be handled.

Most families will require a period of adjustment dealing with coming out issues. Don't expect their initial reaction is an actual
indication of their true feelings. Allow them some time to analyze this information and rethink their reaction. Try to remember that you
have had some time to figure this out and deal with your feelings, give them some time to do the same.    

Also remember that in this day and age, there is loads of information on the web to help you as well as here at Lambda Aloha. If you
don't already know how to use Google or Yahoo search engines, keep working on this until you do. We have provided some basic
links on a separate page that should be useful for everyone.
What can Lambda Aloha help you with?

First know that  resources are limited here on the island. But there are thousands and thousands of gay men and women living here, and many
are sincerely interested is helping to support young GLBT men and women. Lambda Aloha is interested in supporting any Gay Student Groups
or other teen or young adult groups that may be interested in our help (either at KCC, any Kauai High School or other community group).

If you find yourself in an urgent situation, contact someone at one of the following numbers: 332-5182,  634-2461,  635-3442, 635-6806. Please
remember that we are not trained professionals, just members of the GLBT community here on Kauai. But the people at these numbers are
interested in helping you out. Also try to be understanding and remember that you may not always be catching us at a good time. Sometimes
calls catch us in the middle of a meal, or the middle of the night. If that's the case, give us a few minutes on the phone to wake up and figure out
who we are before hanging up. Also there are a few times we get calls where we must ask you to call back (not everyone feels safe to drive a car
or motorcycle and talk on a cell phone at the same time). If we do ask this, please call back, even if it is to say that you have already dealt with
the situation. Many times we have rearranged other activities to ensure that we have time to speak with you.

Beyond dealing with urgent situations, Lambda Aloha hopes that we can establish a library for you to barrow Books, Video Tapes/DVD's and
other reading material from at no cost. Check back here for an on line listing of materials we can make available to you. We hope to have a
couple of places on the island where you can stop in and pick up any material you may be interested in.  Many businesses are interested in
helping Lambda Aloha out with this. We expect to have places in Kapaa, Lihue and Hanapepe where you can pickup materials during business
hours in the next month or so.

We'll be working om a special Internet links page for gay youth established very quickly (part of this is already up)

Lambda Aloha has is even been in touch with a new Gay-Straight Alliance which has recently formed at Kapaa High School.

Also we would like to mention that while some resources are limited here on the island, there are other valuable resources which are available
here, that are unique to Kauai and unavailable elsewhere.  

What does GLBT mean: Formally GLBT stands for: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender. In reality this means anyone who does not fit into a
traditional "straight"  role,  (a guy who is only interested in a gal for sex, or vice versa).
These links will take you back to the main adult areas
CLICK HERE

for the
Young Adult
Internet Links Page
WARNING: Help you can do without....

There are many groups setup to help youth struggling with their sexuality that are actually dangerous to your physiological
well being. Some of these groups are easy to identify, as they will advertise their ability to "cure" you of homosexual feelings
and interests. Som of these programs are marketed as "Reparative Therapy", regardless of name, these programs are based
on myth, misperception and misunderstanding.  Thousands of people are "treated" by these groups every year, and
subsequently must undergo many, many years in therapy later in their lives to undue the psychological damage produced by
this type of "therapy". In 1990, the American Psychological Association stated that scientific evidence shows that reparative
therapy does not work and that it most likely does more harm than good.

Try to seek help in your local GLBT community, then search for resources in areas nearby if necessary. But avoid anyone
claiming to be able to "cure" you if you can. You'll come out ahead in the long run.

Many religious organizations, especially the larger ones, have the financial resources to create large organizations like this
which can appear to be quite legitimate. They also see homosexuality to be a particular threat to their organizations. Many
are also able to secure large financial donations from other extreme religious groups to help support this kind of activity.
But You're a  Christian.....

If you are a Christian, and many of us are, and are not well received by your church, we might suggest looking into the MCC,
or Metropolitan Community Church. This is a world wide church which is accepting of all people, regardless of their sexuality
(or specific theological belief).  We do not have one on Kauai, but there are congregations on Oahu, Maui and the Big
Island. Check out the main links page for Kauai to locate a complete listing here in Hawaii.

Also know that all churches are not alike. There are many congregations here on Kauai which are quite accepting of the
GLBT community. You may have to look around a little. If all else fails, contact Lambda Aloha, we might have a list of those
(hopefully soon).
Just a place to stash a few quite pic's until we
find something betterr o do with them.