"Coming out to your parents is the big one," says youth worker Jan Bridget. "I find that 10 per cent of families are very supportive; 10 per cent throw the young people out and 80 per cent are in the middle. They're very shocked but gradually they come round."
Growing up as gay or lesbian can be a harrowing experience for young people. It can be an even bigger deal if you live in a rural area. Bridget set up Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale (GALYIC) five years ago, taking in Halifax and the surrounding countryside.
In isolated areas, youth groups run specifically for gay people can provide a lifeline for people coming to terms with a major upheaval, such as coming out to their parents.
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