The Next Generation.

                            

After the positive media of the 1990s it seemed as if the pandemic of homophobia which was triggered by the AIDS crisis was largely over.

Especially when Churches like the Uniting Church in Australia conducted wide-ranging discussions about homosexuality and religion.

But we failed to take into account the effect AIDS had on the next generation.

Homophobia in the young has hardened into a snub-nosed prejudice that has made gay a put down and insult used to bully and torment young gay people.

And the decline in religion means that the only message young gay people hear from the Church is that God hates them.

This is a tragedy of major proportions.

Much work still needs to be done to redress the damage that has been done to the next generation.


Photo Credit: designharvs Flickr via Compfight cc