Losing Miami-Dade schools' TRUST program would set gay students adrift (from El Nuevo Herald)

Demonstrates the impact that budget cuts have on the lives of marginalized students. --Dr. Louie F. Rodriguez
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DANIEL SHOER ROTH VIEW FROM EL NUEVO HERALD
Losing Miami-Dade schools' TRUST program would set gay students adrift
Posted on Thu, Sep. 04, 2008
the_miami_herald:http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/671211.html
By DANIEL SHOER ROTH
It no longer bothers him when they call him ''homo'' at school. Roberto Ramirez now holds his head proudly, running a hand across his long curly hair, smiles and replies curtly, ``Thanks a lot, I know who I am.''
Charismatic and delicate, Ramirez has a more pressing concern: a love not reciprocated.
''I am old-fashioned, a vintage lover; I like to be invited out and not to be pressured about sex,'' said the 18-year-old senior at Miami Southridge High. ``Unfortunately, that is not easy in the gay community.''
Ramirez confesses he has a platonic crush. The boy gives him hints of interest, but then disappears for months or admits he has a boyfriend.
Drowning in sorrow, Ramirez resorts to his school therapist, Susan Doucha. In the past two years she has helped him to ``feel good within my own skin.''
''When I leave her office I feel euphoric,'' said Ramirez.
The relationship between Ramirez and his therapist runs the risk of coming to an end next week, when the Miami-Dade County School Board will consider eliminating Project TRUST. Its 111 counselors provide intervention and daily assistance to victims of abuse and neglect. For many students who are sexual minorities, this is the only support they can get.
It's become clear that the emotional health of our students is not a priority even though gays have the highest suicide rate among teenagers. First went the psychologists, who had months of work cut back in Miami-Dade schools, and now the therapists.
For Ramirez, the road to acceptance has been rocky, ever since showing up in elementary school with Hello Kitty supplies. In fourth grade, he gave a chain to a friend, but the boy's mother threatened to sue the school and Ramirez's mother. For years, he felt there was something wrong with him. In middle school, he isolated himself completely. In high school, he came out of the closet.
Since there are several gay and lesbian kids attending Southridge, Doucha divided them into groups named after rainbow colors. In the sessions they talk about self-esteem, love, drugs and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
Ramirez prefers to share his intimate stories individually. ``I look for her whenever I have difficulties understanding my relationships.''
He has also had problems finding a job close to his home in West Kendall, where he lives with parents who accept him. He is lucky because 50 percent of gay teens are rejected by their parents when they find out their orientation.
To stave off depression, he locks himself in the garage, turns up the stereo and dances to Britney Spears. He also collects perfumes (20), body sprays (42) and lotions (12).
Lately, Ramirez has become interested in psychology, his favorite subject, which he hopes to study after graduating. ''I find the mind so fascinating and I love to listen to people,'' he says.
The same way the school therapist has listened, helping him to value himself regardless of the acceptance or love of others. It has been difficult, because he is determined to find happiness with a partner who will value him for more than this looks, someone he can buy gifts for.
''I want to be a psychologist and a supermodel so I can be on the cover of Vogue and Vanity Fair,'' dreams Ramirez. ``When I retire, I want to own a bed and breakfast, hopefully with someone by my side.''