Family rejection of LGB children linked to poor health in early childhood

EurekAlert! ^ | 29-Dec-2008

[CE2949BB]

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 29, 2008 - For the first time, researchers have established a clear link between family rejection of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adolescents and negative health outcomes in early adulthood. The findings will be published in the January issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a peer-reviewed article entitled "Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young Adults."

[scripter]

:-)

In all seriousness, I wanted it to be clear that I don't have a dog in this fight.

Understood, and thanks.

[sinanju]

That’s what gets me. In some of those gay autobiographies, our heroes, while working out their sexual identity, got more female nookie than I could shake a stick at.

Dang them, dang them all to hell.

[NinoFan]

I think you missed my point. There are different ways to define ‘gay’ and ‘homosexual’. The definition you are using is the one I agree with. There are others though who would say that someone is only taking part in the gay life if they exclusively have sex with a member of the same sex. Your proposal only answers the former, not the latter

[CE2949BB]

I saw that. My problem is we can't say the corpus callosum (or its size) is caused by genetics, which, I believe, is similar to the problem with Simon LeVay's study on the hypothalamus. I'd have to go back and read his study [1981].

"It’s important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain. The INAH3 is less likely to be the sole gay nucleus of the brain than a part of a chain of nuclei engaged in men and women's sexual behavior."

Source: Wikipedia entry for Simon LeVay

As I said: more research is needed. :)

In regards to the Narth link, most left-handed people are heterosexual in much the same way there are more effeminate heterosexual men than homosexual men.

It is interesting, tho.

[NinoFan]

I was never molested, and I ended up the way I am. No vampire got ahold of me, so obviously something else is also at work.

I agree though that there should be an emphasis on teaching monogamy and healthy relationships and lifestyles in the gay community. HIV and drug use are serious problems. The gay community does itself no favors when all it focuses on are guiltless sex and party n play.

[scripter]

I've posted that LeVay quote so many times some people think I made it up. That is, for reasons I can only guess, they don't believe LeVay said those words. The first time I posted that link I posted to whom and where LeVay said it, but to some, that doesn't matter. Sigh.

And yes, it is all very interesting.

[CE2949BB]

Now, if the claim is that someone is “cured” of homosexual desire permanently, then that’s a whole other story.

I don't see how I could be "cured" of my heterosexuality.

But if it’s merely that some gays can learn to be satisfied without homosexual contact or in a heterosexual relationship, well, that’s a much harder issue and it seems probable to me that there would be some gays who could adapt well to such situations (though I doubt there are that many).

I think most of the "cured gays" fall into that category.

[NinoFan]

“I don’t see how I could be “cured” of my heterosexuality.”

Dude, we’re in absolute agreement here, so no worries. I was just saying that if the claim is that it’s curing homosexual desire, then that’s a rather easy thing to study.(Your fMRI proposal. ) But if it’s whether denying homosexual contact is something that a homosexual can do and still be sufficiently satisfied with life, that’s a much harder thing to determine.

[CE2949BB]

But if it’s whether denying homosexual contact is something that a homosexual can do and still be sufficiently satisfied with life, that’s a much harder thing to determine.

I don't see how it's possible.

Don't even know why, besides religious reasons, why someone would want to.

The Evil Atheist Conspiracy rears its head. :)

[CE2949BB]

I've posted that LeVay quote so many times some people think I made it up.

Source: http://discovermagazine.com/1994/mar/sexandthebrain346/?searchterm=levay :)

[NinoFan]

“I don’t see how it’s possible.”

I can see how it would be possible, but I think it’s probably pretty rare.

“Don’t even know why, besides religious reasons, why someone would want to.”

Well, that’s exactly why I think most do it. I don’t agree with it, but it’s why they do it.

[scripter]

Thanks. I have the original article from 1991 (Newsweek) somewhere but this is good to have for online reference.

[scripter]

Some folks have found the following link really interesting: People Can Change Survey. Perhaps you will, too.

[sinanju]

I guess the issue is so politicized we will never have serious scientific work done on the subject.

I think one of the biggest problems is the fact that the angry, childish, chip-on-shoulder bullies have long since taken over the “movement.” I still recall dropping by the 93’ rally on the National Mall. The combination self-pity party and foaming-at-the-mouth jamboree of hatred should have been an embarrassing spectacle to any functional adult, of whatever persuasion. Political activism as therapy never seems to accomplish anything of lasting value.

But when one labels oneself a martyred saint who can do no wrong and to whom the sun and moon are owed, there is no such thing as self-contradictory behavior. I don’t have to tell you that gay “monagamy” has an entirely different definition to the generally accepted “breeder” version.

As to owning up to one’s problems, I hold out little hope. The Washington Blade may ritually feature opinion columns and letters-to-the-editor decrying the bad behavior but the “pink pages” remain in every issue. As to political activism, that can be summed up as “gimmie” and “more.” Mindless grasping and posturing however well dressed up in three-piece suits and Harvard J.D.’s.

A minority’s success is indicated by the lack of need for a “movement”. I like to think that far more gays and lesbians are out there simply living their lives but the presumed “silent majority” has to keep quiet for fear of persecution by their Lavender Mafia brethren. Nowadays, culturally-speaking, homosexuality is shrug-inducing for most people and that’s probably what the sieg-heilers fear most.

[NinoFan]

Are you gay?

[sinanju]

Nope, but I have done some reading on the subject. And I hate ALL bullies.

I trust disagreeing with you does not automatically make me a closet case?

[NinoFan]

“I trust disagreeing with you does not automatically make me a closet case?”

Of course not. I have no problems with you having your own views on the matter. I was just curious.

[CE2949BB]

Ah, hell.

• 92 (55%) described themselves as misfits, loners, as feeling inferior, as not fitting in, or not feeling like .one of the guys.. Many said they longed to fit in and feel accepted.
• 40 (24%) said they were teased, bullied or otherwise felt rejected by their peers, often for lack of athletic skill, for physical awkwardness, for being too fat, too thin, too effeminate, or sometimes for being a racial minority or foreigner
• 33 (20%) specifically brought up that they were teased or felt different from their peers because they were poor at sports or disinterested in sports.
• 61 men (58%) described themselves as sensitive, emotional or easily hurt.
• 25 (24%) described themselves as shy, introverted, quiet, timid or not outgoing.

That just described my childhood. ;)

[NinoFan]

;)

[scripter]

Everything in its context.

What I thought was interesting from the article

First, it is important to recognize that this survey is a measurement of perceptions of some of the causes of samesex attractions among members of the study group, and not a measurement of actual causes. It does not prove, for instance, that poor relationships with father and male peers are in fact the leading causes of homosexual development; rather, it shows that the study group believes them to be so, in their own case. On the other hand, one should not dismiss the “expertise” of the members of this group either. They, more than anyone else, should have meaningful insight into the factors that likely contributed to the development of their same-sex attractions

I'm heading home for the long weekend. Catch you later.