“No space is entirely ‘free’ and no space is entirely ‘safe,’ but by forging a space in which they could make their own rules, the club members managed to come closer to Evans and Boyte’s notion of free space.” (Barry, 98)

In the chapter he wrote entitled, “Sheltered ‘Children’: The Self-Creation of a Safe Space by Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students,” Barry asserts “Gay youth need places to gather with others like themselves, places that they form and they control, places in which they can, for a moment, rest, be gay and young without having to worry about heterosexism and ageism.” (85) Although he eventually concludes that no place is 100% safe or free, he brings up delicate situations that this youth demographic go through every day. It’s interesting to think about the fact that as young people, gay students have often to face very isolating situations at home. In a way, they are forced to grow up sooner and ask themselves more important questions than heterosexual youth. In some ways, I feel a bit jealous of the LGBT youth who have had to explore many aspects of their identities sexual and otherwise. It seems that many have looked deeply at themselves and accepted or befriended parts of them that society at large continues to question or rebuke. I feel jealous because I didn’t start to explore my own sexuality until I was in my 30s. I have found there’s a sense of power that comes from knowing myself and embracing my own sexuality. In my experience, many of us “heterosexuals” are not really heterosexual by choice or revelation, but rather by lack of exploration and lack of inquiry. Personally, I believe sexuality falls somewhere on the Kinsey Scale/Heterosexual-homosexual rating scale. We are all somewhere on the spectrum.

The questions the article raise about the place of adults in the gay youth movement are important. As an educator, I want to be considerate and conscious to support and not hinder any group of students based on their sexual preferences. I can see how easy it would be to say something that I thought initially would be kind and supportive only to later determine how it could be heard/received. Mostly, I would like to be a holder of ‘free space’ where students can be themselves and feel supported and loved in my presence.