LGBT+ young people are afraid to tell their parents about their sexual orientation. Owing to non-acceptance, they have to hide their friends and to lead a double life. Many of the teens interrupted their relations with the parents when they came of age or plan to do it when they graduate from school and will be financially independent. The relations are also difficult in educational institutions, where they are labeled, insulted by mates and teachers. Such attitude from those around makes LGBT young people suffer from depression and have suicidal thoughts, shows a study that centered on the problems faced by LGBT+ young people in the Republic of Moldova.

“It is important to create a safe environment of adults who realize the problems as, if an LGBT child in the family cannot reveal the secret and cannot feel at ease, this needs support from other adults,”  Leo Zbancă, GENDERDOC-M project coordinator, stated in a news conference staged by IPN.

The discussions should start when the children realize their sexual orientation and gender identity. “We cannot wait until the children come of age to talk to them about their problems and pains as, regrettably, (LGBT) children die and do not reach 18 if they do not enjoy adults’ support,” said Leo Zbancă.

Anastasia Danilova, executive director of GENDERDOC-M, said some of the study’s results generate serious concern about the physical security and emotional comfort of LGBT children. There are parents who use violence against their children and physical abuse is a problem experienced by most of LGBT young people.

“Neither sexual orientation nor gender identity can be modified somehow, by using physical violence, emotional manipulation, medical treatment or religious rites. What you can do for your LGBT children is to love them, accept them and stand by them in difficult times of their life,” noted Anastasia Danilova.

Puberty is a difficult period for everyone, while for LGBT young people it is unbearable. The LGBT teens face dual pressure: difficult teenage years and non-acceptance in Moldovan society. Each word said by an adult, each inciting to hatred or a discriminatory article in the mass media or social media affect LGBT young people. “We must think about what we say and must take care of each child who lives in this country and not only. We must realize that LGBT young people are more vulnerable than their mates,” said the executive director of GENDERDOC-M.

Note: IPN News Agency gives the right of reply to persons who consider they were touched by the news items produced based on statements of the organizers of the given news conference, including by facilitating the organization of another news conference in similar conditions.