'On my 50 year anniversary I want a letter from the queen'

Abstract

Research in Australia consistently reveals that around 10% of young people are sexually attracted to people of their own sex or unsure about their sexual attraction. This figure remains fairly constant over a range of studies with young people in rural and urban areas, in every state and territory and from a range of ethnic backgrounds (Hillier et al, 1996; Lindsay et al, 1997; Smith et al, 2003; Smith et al 2009). In terms of research specifically with same-sex attracted young Australians, three national studies have been carried out: in 1998, in 2004 and in 2010. Titled 'Writing Themselves In', ('Writing Themselves in Again' in 2004 and 'Writing Themselves In 3' in 2010) the research document these young people's hopes, their dreams and their daily realities with over 5000 of these young people now having shared their stories with us. The first 'Writing Themselves In', in 1998, appears to have been a world first and described a minority group that was enduring high rates of homophobic abuse at school, at home and in the community, with one in five never having spoken to anyone about their sexual difference. These young people were having a hard time with little support, even from home. In 1998 there was little positive visibility in the media and the community of same sex relationships or queer people in general and those that were visible were embedded in negative publicity or in films where the gay or lesbian person is tragically killed off before the end. Young people were living in hostile environments and had difficulty imagining a happy future because there were few positive beliefs or role models to imagine it with. The 1998 and 2004 reports were used to inform a range of initiatives around Australia, including funding applications, curriculum materials, health promotion resources and social support groups and much was done nationally to train service providers, including teachers. The research has also informed education and Government policy as part of social change. In 2011, much has changed since the first 'Writing Themselves In' report from 1998. However, the research trends are in two opposite directions - the first, an increase in homophobic abuse and the related negative health outcomes and the second, a trend to young people being more likely to be out, refusing to bow down, getting support, feeling better about their sexuality and resisting negative discourse. There have also been societal shifts over the last 12 years in the direction of equity, visibility and support for sexual difference. ... It might then be assumed that queer young people now live in safe, inclusive environments at school, at home and in the community. Unfortunately this is not the case. The 2010 'Writing Themselves In 3' clearly demonstrates an increase in reported rates of homophobic verbal and physical abuse, with severe impacts on young people's mental health and wellbeing. Moreover, the same-sex marriage debate continues and there have been growing campaigns for and against the rights of queer people to marry.