I would just like to send a note of thanks for placing the article “Coming Out. What Does it Mean?” in your paper last week.

I only wish I had been able to read a positive and helpful article such as this when I was going through this difficult period as a youngster, and I am sure that the article will be of benefit to a number of your readers.

Although I came out at the age of 14, some 19 years ago, I can well remember the difficulties that this presented, both for myself and for my family and friends.

Particularly as I lived in a remote mining community at the time.

I have watched the world change over the years and am glad that our ability to tolerate (and even embrace) those who are different to ourselves has matured over time, however some of the same issues I faced then are still very much relevant for the youth of today.

High suicide rates, bashings, verbal abuse and other kinds of discrimination are part of everyday experience for some young gay people.

Having spent some years in youth refuges as a young teenager, and having kept in touch with those kinds of organisations since, I can attest to this truth.

I recall very clearly, for example, having to bash in a boys door one night at a youth refuge when I was 15 (to help him) to find him haemorrhaging through his nose after a suicide attempt.

We saved him that night but I hear his later attempt was more successful.

To every young person who yells “faggot” or “dyke” at some poor kid, I can promise you that you will not feel so tough when they slit their wrists or put a bullet in their head afterwards.

And to every young person struggling to come to terms with their feelings and recognition that they are “different” – I can assure you that you are not alone.

It gets easier, and the people who love you will not always walk away from you.

There is always someone to talk to about it and I hope that you will use the advice in last weeks article to try and find a way to do just that.

Kathryn Taylor,

Roxby Downs