I love Sergei. When you are his friend, he loves you with all of his big Russian bear heart. While some find his brutal honesty hard to take, that's the quality you want in a real friend, who doesn't just tell you what you want to hear.
...well, THIS Story arc seems to be shaping up to be VERY current.....
...I've recently read an article on Queerty that Government funding has cut funding for transitioning Children / Teens that have become Homeless by SIXTY PERCENT, and anyone Gay reaching out for help for Mental depression / Illness (Govt. helplines, Hospital needs, Medications, etc.) are going to be cut completely when the "..Big Beautiful Bill..." takes effect, by Summer 2027......
....This Youngster is almost in the same predicament Eduardo was in; Ed came to the B&B (at 17), when his Father kicked him out, and 'aged out', when he was hustling on the Streets.......
...This Youngster seems to be taking matters into their hands, and although Sergei's brusque demeanor comes off cold.......We ALL know he'll warm up, and maybe.....MAYBE......guide the Kid in the later Story arcs.......I even SAID Sergei needed a Story arc being a mentor to Kids (while getting a "Heated Rivalry"-esque Romance, while doing it......)....
....>sigh< .....sometimes, I'm glad I'm an Ol' Fart (at 63), because I had to deal with ALL my stuff between 1986-1989, I can't even IMAGINE what the Gen-Z'ers are goin' through.........
I know this comic strip is lighthearted, but what that kid is going through is anything but lighthearted. Sending her back to a home where her father is not reacting well to her coming out. Again, I know this is a lighthearted take on the world. Please don't slam me. But there are far too many LGBT kids who experience abuse and worse from their families in coming out.
The practical problem is that a 17 year old boy or girl cannot rent a hotel room, since they are a minor. If the parents find out, they can easily create a civil and criminal legal and media shitstorm that would bankrupt Kyle. Sergei did the right thing.
My first thought as well. Why on earth would you send a vulnerable kid back to an abusive situation alone? If Sergei was worried about legal issues from sheltering the girl, he should have gone back to her house with her, and confronted the father there, preferably with Brad, Mannis and Drew along. At the very least, he should have called Child Protective Services to determine the best course of action. Telling her to fuck off and send her dad back instead might be "in character", but it's not smart or realistic.
.....Oh, yes, Wrang, I totally agree, here..... I had it a bit better than most when I came Out; I was in College (1987), came out to myself (April 1988), and officially, in Sept. 1991......
....but I volunteered at the Gay & Lesbian Center (1991-1994) and the Gay & Lesbian Youth Project had many Homeless Kids hanging about, and I was given the task of going to the Christopher Street Piers (on the weekends) to give out condoms, because of all the unsafe Sex they were having.....
....they loved me, because I didn't judge, and wanted to help them....BUT, as you said....many Others experienced far worse situations, and I always feared for their safety.....
....also, I was a bit unnerved about the Youngster being brushed off by Sergei, who had to go to his....."M-urder show..." .....ay, yi YI.........Let's hope Kyle comes back FAST......
A 16 yr old kid from the community showed up at my friend's door. He came out to his parents and they kicked him out so he had nowhere to go. We helped him find a place to live and ensured that he was supported. He graduated from high school, then University. Both at the top of his class. He's now a manager at a fashion brand and is engaged to a great guy. There are like 10 of us fighting to walk him down the aisle because we're all now his dads - lol.
...I'm so LOVING this! ...I remember a Kid I spoke with around 1992(?) who wanted to leave NYC; I ran into him at a McDonald's, and He was moving to Germany (around 2003), and got involved with a German Guy and ran an Art Gallery......
...we lost touch afterward, but it make me feel good that just ONE Kid did something for themselves and found a Life worth LIVING......This Story arc is piquing my interest more and MORE........
I'm in agreement with WranglerMan and JM. Not sure what Greg's direction is introducing a new character and serious issue in this manner. It reminds me of how Levi was belittled by Darren and shut out into dangerous freezing weather by Price. We have character in distress, being dismissed and mocked by Sergei, who is drawn to be frank and direct, but also compassionate (especially considering he's affected by loved ones under attack in Ukraine). Some would ask - what would Jesus do? How about what would Kyle do?
It's true a seventeen year old would be unable in most cases to rent long-term lodging. Some compassion would be helpful, especially from what appears to be the only gay-friendly resource she knows. Perhaps we'll see this from others in the BnB's next chapter as a teachable moment. That would be a great opportunity for Greg to introduce resources for at-risk LGBTQIA youth, such as Pride-in-Youth at Long Island Crisis Center, Transgender Resource Center of Long Island, Nassau Haven in neighboring Nassau County or even Ali Forney Center, a train ride away in NYC. It'll be interesting to see how Greg handles the next chapter, especially for any LGBTQIA youth reading this strip. Hopefully the character is going to a welcoming college experience, such as found at SUNY Purchase, SUNY Geneseo, Sarah Lawrence, Bard and Adelphi - all wonderfully inclusive New York State colleges.
It's too bad this young woman seeking help at the gay bnb didn't encounter Eduardo - who was in her shoes, Drew - the social worker, Delia - the smart lesbian with insight and solutions, Kyle - who turns no one away, or Darren - police officer. The only person worse for the first encounter is Price.
I just want to say this is only the first chapter in this story.... please stay tuned, as there will be more to unfold here. Obviously, Sergei is well-known for his brusque-ness and lack of tact, but there is a reason why HE was the one to answer the door. (I only wish you didn't have to wait 2 weeks to see the next chapter!).
11 comments:
I love Sergei. When you are his friend, he loves you with all of his big Russian bear heart. While some find his brutal honesty hard to take, that's the quality you want in a real friend, who doesn't just tell you what you want to hear.
...well, THIS Story arc seems to be shaping up to be VERY current.....
...I've recently read an article on Queerty that Government funding has cut funding for transitioning Children / Teens that have become Homeless by SIXTY PERCENT, and anyone Gay reaching out for help for Mental depression / Illness (Govt. helplines, Hospital needs, Medications, etc.) are going to be cut completely when the "..Big Beautiful Bill..." takes effect, by Summer 2027......
....This Youngster is almost in the same predicament Eduardo was in; Ed came to the B&B (at 17), when his Father kicked him out, and 'aged out', when he was hustling on the Streets.......
...This Youngster seems to be taking matters into their hands, and although Sergei's brusque demeanor comes off cold.......We ALL know he'll warm up, and maybe.....MAYBE......guide the Kid in the later Story arcs.......I even SAID Sergei needed a Story arc being a mentor to Kids (while getting a "Heated Rivalry"-esque Romance, while doing it......)....
....>sigh< .....sometimes, I'm glad I'm an Ol' Fart (at 63), because I had to deal with ALL my stuff between 1986-1989, I can't even IMAGINE what the Gen-Z'ers are goin' through.........
....CHOW.........
I know this comic strip is lighthearted, but what that kid is going through is anything but lighthearted. Sending her back to a home where her father is not reacting well to her coming out. Again, I know this is a lighthearted take on the world. Please don't slam me. But there are far too many LGBT kids who experience abuse and worse from their families in coming out.
The practical problem is that a 17 year old boy or girl cannot rent a hotel room, since they are a minor. If the parents find out, they can easily create a civil and criminal legal and media shitstorm that would bankrupt Kyle. Sergei did the right thing.
My first thought as well. Why on earth would you send a vulnerable kid back to an abusive situation alone? If Sergei was worried about legal issues from sheltering the girl, he should have gone back to her house with her, and confronted the father there, preferably with Brad, Mannis and Drew along. At the very least, he should have called Child Protective Services to determine the best course of action. Telling her to fuck off and send her dad back instead might be "in character", but it's not smart or realistic.
.....Oh, yes, Wrang, I totally agree, here..... I had it a bit better than most when I came Out; I was in College (1987), came out to myself (April 1988), and officially, in Sept. 1991......
....but I volunteered at the Gay & Lesbian Center (1991-1994) and the Gay & Lesbian Youth Project had many Homeless Kids hanging about, and I was given the task of going to the Christopher Street Piers (on the weekends) to give out condoms, because of all the unsafe Sex they were having.....
....they loved me, because I didn't judge, and wanted to help them....BUT, as you said....many Others experienced far worse situations, and I always feared for their safety.....
....also, I was a bit unnerved about the Youngster being brushed off by Sergei, who had to go to his....."M-urder show..." .....ay, yi YI.........Let's hope Kyle comes back FAST......
..CHOW-CHOW......
A 16 yr old kid from the community showed up at my friend's door. He came out to his parents and they kicked him out so he had nowhere to go.
We helped him find a place to live and ensured that he was supported.
He graduated from high school, then University. Both at the top of his class.
He's now a manager at a fashion brand and is engaged to a great guy.
There are like 10 of us fighting to walk him down the aisle because we're all now his dads - lol.
...I'm so LOVING this! ...I remember a Kid I spoke with around 1992(?) who wanted to leave NYC; I ran into him at a McDonald's, and He was moving to Germany (around 2003), and got involved with a German Guy and ran an Art Gallery......
...we lost touch afterward, but it make me feel good that just ONE Kid did something for themselves and found a Life worth LIVING......This Story arc is piquing my interest more and MORE........
I'm in agreement with WranglerMan and JM. Not sure what Greg's direction is introducing a new character and serious issue in this manner. It reminds me of how Levi was belittled by Darren and shut out into dangerous freezing weather by Price. We have character in distress, being dismissed and mocked by Sergei, who is drawn to be frank and direct, but also compassionate (especially considering he's affected by loved ones under attack in Ukraine). Some would ask - what would Jesus do? How about what would Kyle do?
It's true a seventeen year old would be unable in most cases to rent long-term lodging. Some compassion would be helpful, especially from what appears to be the only gay-friendly resource she knows. Perhaps we'll see this from others in the BnB's next chapter as a teachable moment. That would be a great opportunity for Greg to introduce resources for at-risk LGBTQIA youth, such as Pride-in-Youth at Long Island Crisis Center, Transgender Resource Center of Long Island, Nassau Haven in neighboring Nassau County or even Ali Forney Center, a train ride away in NYC. It'll be interesting to see how Greg handles the next chapter, especially for any LGBTQIA youth reading this strip. Hopefully the character is going to a welcoming college experience, such as found at SUNY Purchase, SUNY Geneseo, Sarah Lawrence, Bard and Adelphi - all wonderfully inclusive New York State colleges.
It's too bad this young woman seeking help at the gay bnb didn't encounter Eduardo - who was in her shoes, Drew - the social worker, Delia - the smart lesbian with insight and solutions, Kyle - who turns no one away, or Darren - police officer. The only person worse for the first encounter is Price.
I just want to say this is only the first chapter in this story.... please stay tuned, as there will be more to unfold here. Obviously, Sergei is well-known for his brusque-ness and lack of tact, but there is a reason why HE was the one to answer the door. (I only wish you didn't have to wait 2 weeks to see the next chapter!).
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