Youth and Diversity: Breaking the Silence and
Celebrating our Differences

Funded by the Diana,
Princess of Wales Memorial Fund

In 2001, the Institute for Cultural Partnerships, in partnership with BiGLYAH (Bi-Gay-Lesbian Youth Association of Harrisburg), a youth support group, now known as Common Roads, implemented a diversity project that mobilized and developed greater support structures for marginalized at risk youth, ages 14-18, who are LGBTQ or racially/ethnically in the minority.

The project had the following goals:

• to produce and present a high-quality performance focused on diversity among our youth to audiences in target communities; and
  
• to provide follow-up and support activities in at least six target communities throughout rural Pennsylvania to address the needs of at risk youth and to assist each community to better address hate activities.

Pennsylvania has the largest rural population of any state in the nation. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania also consistently ranks among the top states in the country for the number of active hate groups and hate crimes, many of which occur in rural communities. For example, in Westmoreland County there were 47 incidents of hate tensions in 1997-98. In rural York County there were 20 hate incidents reported. Changing demographics and economic status in rural communities throughout Pennsylvania have increased fear and opened the door for hate groups such as the KKK, Aryan Nation, United Fascist Party, skinheads and local militia groups. Rural Pennsylvania has also become a major recruitment site for youth membership in hate groups.

Racism and homophobia motivate many of these hate crimes. A National Institute of Justice report states, the most frequent victims of hate violence today are blacks, Hispanics, Southeast Asians, Jews, and gays and lesbians. Homosexuals are probably the most frequent victims. (Finn and McNeil, 1987) To make matters worse, the anti-discrimination laws in Pennsylvania do not currently protect citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Furthermore, the Pennsylvania Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act, our criminal hate crimes statute, does not include either sexual orientation among its protected classes.

Both quantitative and qualitative data on bias/tension incidents indicated that a project of this type was desperately needed in rural communities throughout Pennsylvania. Most schools and community organizations today struggle to address diversity issues, especially concerning gay and lesbian prejudice and discrimination. Many communities maintain a strong sense of insiders and outsiders. Youth who are different in some way from the mainstream community are marginalized and discriminated against by their peers, adults, and community members.

Breaking the Silence

It is difficult to break the silence that surrounds issues of racism and homophobia in rural areas where there is little diversity. Such silence can perpetuate intolerance at all levels: family, school and community, and is a major factor in marginalizing at risk youth. Minimal support exists to address these diversity issues. Even in communities where unity groups (anti bias/hate coalitions) and P-Flag chapters (Parents, Family Friends of Lesbians and Gays) exist, community response to bias/tension incidents is reactive and crisis-driven. There is little follow-up support and momentum after a particular hate crime incident occurs.

This project punctured some of the silence surrounding issues of racism and homophobia and helped a number of communities strengthen their resources to resist intolerance and hate crime. The play was written, produced and performed by gay, lesbian and other youth from the South Central region of Pennsylvania. Participation in this project empowered the youth and provided them leadership skills as well as improved self-confidence and self-esteem. Audiences were educated and enlightened, as both youth and adults became more sensitive and aware of our similarities and differences.

The production of the play was successfully performed at the Harrisburg YWCA, the Oyster Mill Playhouse, the Whitaker Center and Open Stage. The play is now being brought into schools and colleges in the region through a professionally-produced videotape of the live production. The video is accompanied with a booklet containing extensive notes on the project, the play, and the performance, as well as testimonials from participating youth and artists.

To purchase a copy of the video program, or to schedule a viewing of the video with a talkback session with ICP staff, please contact Ronald Kirby, Director of Community Programs.