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Eleven
buses are now travelling around Calderdale with an advert depicting
a young woman looking into a pint glass, bearing the caption, 'Are
you coming OUT tonight? Don't get your courage in a bottle.'"
The
bus ad goes on to say that anyone interested should contact GALYIC
(Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale).
Jan
Bridget, GALYIC Project Co-ordinator, says: "All too often
young lesbian and gay people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with
their emerging feelings. This is because society says it is wrong
to be gay and young gay people don't want to be rejected so many
use alcohol to either suppress their feelings or to help them come
out.
"When
young gay people are first coming to terms with their sexuality
they often think they are the only one. They want to meet other
young gays, find information and support. This is where GALYIC comes
in."
GALYIC
have been running now for over three years but have had problems
getting publicity. They are hoping the bus campaign, funded by Communities
Against Drugs, will be one way of publicising their work.
Jan
Bridget adds: "We know there are lots of young lesbians and
gays in Calderdale but we can't let them know about GALYIC because
the obvious place to advertise the group, schools and GPs' surgeries,
aren't displaying our poster."
Halifax
MP Alice Mahon was at the campaign launch. She says: "I've
supported the work of GALYIC in the past and I continue to support
it. I hope this campaign gives GALYIC the publicity it needs and
deserves so that more young lesbian and gay people can access support
services."
GALYIC
can be contacted by phoning 01422-320099.
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