Comments on: “But we don’t need it anymore”

By: Banks

Banks — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:26:24 +0000

Of course we need support groups. Homosexuality is mainly accepted on the whole in the media – not in peoples mind.

The day I can walk in Bankstown and Sutherland shire holding another man’s hand without getting harassed is when we can scrap the idea of having support groups for gays.

By: andrew

andrew — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:39:24 +0000

To think that support groups for members of the gay community is outdated, or irrelevant think again. Support groups offer a deeper connection with individuals than websites, books, videos or going out to a gay venue can ever offer. Issues of identity, self esteem, respect, isolation, relationships are all relevant and need a forum to be heard. I grew up thinking there was no-one I could talk to, connect with or even be listened to , but a humble support group came my way, and I have never regretted participating in one and will shout my support all the way!!!

By: porlie

porlie — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:45:16 +0000

Some young people who are questioning their sexuality, or sexual identity, take a look around in our community and in our media, and don’t see someone “like them”.
Some gay women and men are still fearful of coming out
Some young people come out, and are isolated at school or kicked out of home.
Some gay people are still being bashed – just because they are gay
Some gay people experience lower self esteem and increased mental health issues.
Some of our politicians still see same sax attracted people as a group to oppress or ridicule.
Some gay men, sadly, are still contracting HIV – some of them because they are not as well informed about sexual health as they could be.

Yes – we still need support groups for same sex attracted people.

By: Budi Sudarto

Budi Sudarto — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:14:11 +0000

Hi Scott, thanks for your response. The workshops that we conduct at the Victorian AIDS Council address the issue that you mentioned: “gay men still need social support”. Even though we are living in a “fast paced lifestyles”, there are some men out there who are willing to spend few hours of their time to meet other guys and share their thoughts, opinions and experiences with like-minded men. This is the beauty of these workshops: it offers men with a safe, judgement-free, informative, educational and supportive environment to discuss issues relating to sexuality. Our workshops are not therapeutic groups; we do not offer counselling. What we offer is a space for men to interact and communicate on face-to-face basis in their personal journey to feel comfortable with themselves and their sexuality :)

By: @Scott__Rose

@Scott__Rose — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:46:16 +0000

Gay men still need social support, there’s no doubt in my mind about that at all. Maybe the setting for that support changes over time.

For example, a support group might have been the perfect setting in decades past but it may not suit today’s busy and fast paced lifestyles where the majority of people are connected via social media. Besides, a support group just says ‘group therapy’ to me, which implies that gay men need therapy because they are gay rather than because they need social support. I should mention that I’m a student counsellor, so perhaps my thinking is influenced in this area!