Few openly gay teens tell their doctor: survey

Reuters ^ | 01/04/07

[Rodney King]

Who cares? It's not like being a homosexual increases ones health risks or anything. Right?

[To Hell With Poverty]

Here's a factor they didn't list: shame.

[darkwing104]

Aids risk?

[L98Fiero]

Someone wrote an article because doctors don't tend to ask teenagers about their sex lives?

I have no words.

[RSmithOpt]

And if a doctor is a true believer in his/her Hippocratic Oath, he/she will point out all the physical and mental problems associated with the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual culture as easily as he/she discusses health risks associated with smoking, obesity, alcohol / drug abuse, lack of sleep and exercise and a poor diet.

[presidio9]

Probably not as much for lesbian teens but the average life expectancy for gay males in this country is 42 years.

[joebuck]

"And if a doctor is a true believer in his/her Hippocratic Oath, he/she will point out all the physical and mental problems associated with the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual culture....."

Which is the last thing the gay patient wants to hear. They don't disclose their sexuality because they know it is unhealthy and they don't want to be confronted with that.

[PeterFinn]

Any doctor asking a teenager about their sex life would be up on charges in a heartbeat.

[KarlInOhio]

I don't recall my doctor ever asking me anything about my sexuality. The typical visit doesn't cover anything other than what my immediate medical problem is and I've never felt the urge to chat about my social life.

[Gay State Conservative]

Here's a factor they didn't list: shame.

Shame? What a silly,quaint concept!

[Cincinatus]

Few openly gay teens tell their doctor: survey

If they're "openly gay" why would they have to?

[RSmithOpt]

Democrats suffer the same syndrome too....staight or gay.

[definitelynotaliberal]

That's just what I was thinking. It seems a contradiction in terms. And drs. have to ask teenagers if they're sexually active.

[Paisan]

They're all usually pretty proud to tell ANYONE of their sexuality. Ya can't shut 'em up.
I would assume that any Dr. could tell if a guy is a Receiver or a Tight-End...

This thread could get ugly really fast...

[MooseMan]

Probably not as much for lesbian teens but the average life expectancy for gay males in this country is 42 years.

How about a T-Shirt that says, "If I were gay, I'd be dead by now." and on the back that statistic.

[presidio9]

Actually, I think that figure may be low, because gay infants who die are unable to identify themselves as such.

[trisham]

Reasons the teens gave for not disclosing their sexual orientation to their doctor included stigma; having a parent present in the exam room; fear that the doctor would tell a parent; embarrassment; and fear that their doctor would not approve.

*****************

1. Stigma

2. Fear

3. Embarrassment

4. Fear

No suggestion that morality should be an issue here, I noticed.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Are you lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Couldn't tell from your post. </ s>

[CANBFORGIVEN]

Homosexuality definetly increases health risk!

Male Homosexuals, who represent a small percentage of the US population, spread HIV faster than male/female heterosexuals combined. And these are male/female heterosexuals who participate in high risk sex.

Male-to-male sexual contact 454,106 total infections

High-risk heterosexual contact 164,850 total infections http://www.avert.org/usastatg.htm

The fact of the matter is, assuming equal promiscuity, it is far easier to spread HIV through Anal sex. Your chances of getting HIV through heterosexual sex are rather low, even if you aren't using protection. Males having unprotected heterosexual sex have an even lower risk than their female partners.

In addition, there are a host of other diseases, STD's and cancers that can be spread through homosexual sex. If you don't think this lifestyle addiction is a health risk you are fooling yourself.