Horizons' North Side youth group, which began in 1978, offers a variety of drop-in sessions and rap groups to gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth. Additionally, two years ago Horizons opened a South Side facility specifically targeting African-American males. Horizons partnered with Teen Living Programs, a shelter serving homeless and at-risk youth of all sexual identities, to procure the space. So it was important to us that we reach out to that community. Dr. Faughn Adams insists that issues of sexuality and coming out are different for suburban youth than they are for urban youth.
Urban youth have more and better access to information and facilities.
There's less of a sense that everybody knows your parents, your family. There's no Halsted Street, there's no Andersonville in Elgin or in Palatine. Though many suburban kids are Internet-savvy, giving them one link to a larger community of gays and lesbians, many more are not. Otherwise, it's possible that these youth will reach adulthood not knowing who they are. And that can cause lots of problems-in relationships, in careers, and in life.