Lowry Restores Gay Mentors For Teens In Juvenile Facilities

Gov. Mike Lowry, reversing a decision by his diversity expert, has restored a mentor program for gay and lesbian youth in juvenile facilities.

A leading critic called the governor’s decision a nightmare and said it could lead to child exploitation.

The governor has agreed to most of the changes recently made in the state’s “sexual minority” plan for state agency workers and clients, but has overturned the decision to scrap plans to recruit gay adults to serve as role models and mentors for gay youths in juvenile institutions.

The volunteers will help the youths in their transition back into the community, according to the plan that has been retitled “Sexual Orientation Initiative.” The adults might lead group discussions among juvenile delinquents, or might work individually with detained youths who are gay.

Lowry’s press secretary, Jordan Dey, said Thursday the governor feels strongly that all youth, including gays, need positive role models and that the mentor program is appropriate.

“DJR (Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation) has brought in volunteer role model adults for AfricanAmerican population, for their Hispanic population and their Native American population and they will do the same for the gay and lesbian youth population,” Dey said.

He noted that studies show gays and lesbians have a much higher suicide rate than other youths. “There is a significant problem,” Dey said.

Sid Sidorowicz, who oversees the 1,400-youth state system, said the original deletion of the mentor program by the governor’s diversity office was a mistake. He said he strongly supports the governor’s decision.

He said some gay youngsters have major difficulties coming to terms with their sexual identity or have trouble with their families or peers. Given the high suicide potential, the state cannot turn its back on them, he said.

The mentors alone are no magic answer, but can be part of the solution, along with counseling and ervices back in their home community, he said.

Robert Larimer Jr., the Vancouver man who heads Washington for Traditional Values, which fights gayrights legislation, said the entire program is a misuse of taxpayer funds and will be destructive to the youth involved.

“Lowry’s decision will make vulnerable, unstable children, many of whom have never experimented with sexual behaviors of any kind, subject to manipulation and recruiting by socalled sexual minority adults,” he said.