As the Christianists and pompous homophobes like Archbishop Peter Akinola continue their relentless attacks against LBGT rights and continue their efforts to demonize and marginalize gays, their handiwork continues to take a deadly toll. Here is a portion of a news story from the Contra Costa Times (California) (http://www.contracostatimes.com/bayandstate/ci_6977529?nclick_check=1):In the gay community, youth suicide continues to be a persistent problem, experts say. Among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths, as many as 40 percent are likely to attempt suicide, said Cassie Blume, youth programs coordinator for the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center in San Jose. The national data is derived from several studies, Blume said. "They are three times more likely to attempt suicide" than straight young people, Blume said. "Our work can be just about keeping them alive."
University of Minnesota pediatrics professor Gary Remafedi's book, "Death by Denial," found that 30 percent of gay youths said they had attempted suicide at least once as a teenager. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report from 1989 concluded that gay youths are two to three times more likely to commit suicide than straight teens. Gay and lesbian teens accounted for about 30 percent of youth suicides, the department found.
I hope these "good Christians" are proud of themselves. I find them disgusting. So much death and heartache and for what? So that these self-satisfied and self-righteous bigots can feel good about themselves?
1 comment:
The loss of any life should be viewed by all as tragic. It is appalling to hear people indicate that a person, regardless of their own orientation, is of so little value. Indeed, if the scope is widened most everyone who contemplates suicide is someone who is not comforable with the situation and truly only wants to understand and accept themselves. However, we are so manipulated by those around us to want to be what they want us to be. The Christian perspective that all are valuable and God loves everyone works for those in the fundamental circles as long as it fits with their ideas. Acceptance, tolerance and understanding sound good, but in actual practice -- literally are'nt (practiced). The teenage years are very fragile ones. It should be a time to learn about oneself and see that deep down each of us are valuable people. Does this mean there are no values -- absolutely not. Honesty and integrity means that we must accept ourselves as God made us. Lifestyles, as evidenced by many, differ from person to person. God loves us each and every one. Those who do not value others for whatever reason should go back and look at the lessons about loving enemies. The message truly is that we are to love everyone. As much as this topic is horrible to read about and discuss, it is tremendously important. People of the mindset to put others down and make them feel worthless to the point of wanting to end their lives -- those people are simply a disgrace and the antithesis of what they say they stand for. Keep focusing the attention on the importance and beauty of life. I pray for those who have been made to feel so badly about themselves and also for you, so that you can continue to bring up these topics and help others to accept and understand.
Post a Comment