Combating Lesbian and Gay Youth Suicide and HIV/AIDS Transmission Rates: An Examination of Possible Education Strategies in Western Australian High Schools in Light of Prevailing State Statutes
AbstractThe authors review the legislation that particularly impacts on gays and lesbians in Western Australia. They then consider how existing laws may affect efforts to prevent youth suicide and to lower the rate of HIV infection amongst youth. They conclude that Western Australia's criminal law and age of consent laws add to the isolation and exclusion experienced by young lesbians and gay men while discouraging those best suited to alleviate this pain from doing anything about it. They also suggest that regressive censorship legislation leads to an educational system in which insecurity and ignorance about sexuality remains the norm. |