Anne Nicholson Young glbti people in Christchurch or further afield whose lives are becoming troubled can access support through the city's queer youth organisation, Q-topia. The offer comes in the wake of the shockingly violent death of troubled gay teen Hayden Miles whose life was becoming increasingly blighted by behavioural problems, alcohol and other drug abuse, and keeping dubious company. Miles, 15, was murdered on the night of August 23/24 2011 by Gavin Gosnell, 28, the partner of the women he had come to think of as a good friend. The deadly attack came after repeated sessions of binge drinking centred around a squalid inner-city Christchurch flat. We're always available to talk with vulnerable youth, says Q-topia's Anne Nicholson. "We work with kids one on one to help them with their problems... we can help refer them to housing agencies, doctors and many other kinds of other assistance if they want it" Hayden Miles had not contacted Q-topia and neither had his family and friends but Nicholson is urging those close to any other troubled gay teens, whose homosexuality may be complicating other issues in their lives, to "break the silence." "Anyone who knows a young queer person who needs help is welcome to bring them to us," she says, "and they can come along themselves as a support person." "We can be there for them and will do our utmost to help them access all the help they want." Q-topia also works in schools, "doing a lot of work around bullying... we're working to protect young people, to teach them to be strong and to avoid bullying," says Nicholson. Q-topia in Christchurch can be contacted on 021 175 3631.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 16th April 2013 - 8:26pm