Joyce Wiley remembers when the words, “I’m gay,” were uttered only in whispers at schools, and teens seemed desperate to find a safe place to open up about their sexual orientation.
That definitely was the climate in the 1990s, when the Quad-Citians Affirming Diversity, or QCAD, group opened its doors to help community youth, said Wiley, interim executive director for the volunteer-run organization.
Things are much different now, and for the better, she said.
“A generation ago, when a student came out, he or she might really receive rejection from everybody and feel very isolated,” she said. “Now they nearly always are supported by others, who are eager to show they’re supportive. That makes a huge difference.”
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Complete article at QC Times : http://bit.ly/k4aC39
