Noticias
Noticias
SOMOSGAY launches the campaign “I AM GAY! MY FAMILY LOVES ME THE WAY I AM!" in the streets, regular meeting places and an exclusive interview with the local magazine TVO. This campaign is presented during the International Week Against Homophobia, and seeks to offer families a new approach to face homophobia and to protect their children from it.
It is the first time that homophobia is confronted in the paraguayan family. With this campaign, SOMOSGAY presents itself as an organization committed to the eradication of homophobia in Paraguay and with the constant innovation of its strategies.
The family is considered as the base for societies, since it is the very first environment of socialization, the place where we learn about our culture, customs y social tights.
The support of our families is very important in the different aspects of our lives, during the difficult times of our adolescence and youth. In the case of young gays and lesbians, the support of our families will he'll them overcome and fight Homophobia which is still very strong in our society.
This campaign presents a new paradigm more inclusive to families, enhancing the importance of love of parents to their gay sons and lesbian daughters. The way in which parents or tutors respond to the sexual orientation of young adults strongly influences in the mental health of the child as in the adult's.
Parents love their children and want the best for them. Thanks to myriad of studies, nowadays they are able to see that negative attitudes towards their sexual orientation expose young people to high risk and others promote their wellbeing. Parents that take action to respond to their children with equanimity instead of rejection can improve dramatically the mental health of young gays, lesbians and heterosexuals.
The ban of adolescents to interact with their gay peers, is as damaging as being physically beaten or insulted by their parents. Some practices as blaming a young person by being intimidated at school, separating him or her from other relatives or devalue his or her appearance to adjust them to social expectations, are considered forms of homophobic rejections. Therefore, such practices must be avoided taking into consideration of young people.
All in all, love coming from family, can change in radically the life of young gays and lesbians, giving society a more tolerant and inclusive shift.
