Scouts and Gay Ban 5,610

Warning:  Contains  Sexually  Explicit  Material !

Not For Younger Readers Without Parental Guidance

Painting of "Boy Scouts of America by Norman Rockwell
*Images for this article provided through "Google Images" and Wikipedia.

Special thanks to "The Washington Post "The New York Times", "New Jersey.com",
"News Week" (Cover Photo) About.com, PFLAG Phoenix.org,
and "Wikipedia" for their articles.

Gay Rights and The Boy Scouts of America

by Felicity Blaze Noodleman

Who among us can deny a soft spot in their hearts for the Boy Scouts and the activities along with the “growing up – life lessons” this organization has provided for boys all over the world?  Opportunities and experiences are provided to young men which they might not receive from family life or the other organizations boys attend.  The “Troop” structure in the Boy Scouts can structure itself to boys from all walks of life from urban inner city youngsters to the suburban and rural area boys.  Scouting in fact is a good experience for both boys and girls but this article deals with the issues which face young boys and men.

Boy Scouts of America celebrates 100 years - Centennial logo.

I don’t profess to be an expert on this organization but I feel it safe to say that the world is a better place for the efforts of scouting organizations.  I do know they have changed over the years and have kept pace with society.  I wonder if they have a “merit badge” for video games these days?  At any rate, the Cub,Boy and Explorer Scouts give boys an organization where these young people can be with others who share the same interests as themselves with good solid adult leadership and supervision.  The Article below begins to indicate there may be some new changes for the 100 year old youth organization.  The “Gay Movement” in America has targeted the Scouts for admissions.

Boys need to be protected from sexual predators.

Boy Scouts may reverse national ban against gays as members, leaders

Posted by Diana Reese on January 29, 2013 at 8:33 am

“The Washington Post”

History’s being made this month. Last week, President Barack Obama became the first president to use the term “gay” in reference to sexual orientation in an inauguration speech. And on Monday the Boy Scouts of America — which successfully fought against allowing gays into its ranks all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 — said it may reverse its policy next week.

Just last summer BSA had reaffirmed its stand to keep gays out. But it wasn’t a popular move. Membership in BSA is on the decline — and financial support is falling as well. The Merck Company Foundation, Intel Foundation, UPS and United Way have stopped or postponed donations due to the anti-gay policy of the 102-year-old organization.

Two members of the Boy Scouts of America national executive board: Ernst & Young CEO James Turley and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson have supported dumping the ban on gays in favor of inclusion regardless of sexuality.

Then there are the negative headlines: A lesbian mom was kicked out of her position as a den leader in Ohio. The Eagle Scout application of a California teen who came out was rejected. And last summer, a 19-year-old Eagle Scout in Missouri was fired from his job at a Scout summer camp after he announced he was gay.

Deron Smith, a spokesman for Boy Scouts of America, told me the decision to revisit the policy during a private meeting of the national executive board next week resulted from “a longstanding dialogue within the Scouting family.” As he explained, “Last year, Scouting realized the policy caused some volunteers and chartered organizations which oversee and deliver the program to act in conflict with their missions, principles or religious beliefs.”

Smith stressed that the board may consider lifting the national ban, but that it will remain up to the individual chartering organization whether to allow gays as members and leaders. Troops are sponsored by churches, civic groups and schools. BSA would not force any local chartering institution to accept gays.

That makes the national ruling something of a compromise. BSA’s basically giving local groups permission to make their own decision. Some troops have quietly accepted gays; Minnesota’s largest group of Boy Scouts, the Twin Cities-based Northern Star Council, has had an inclusive policy for 12 years.

Keeping it local makes sense to many parents and adult leaders. “I think it’s a good idea to leave it up to the local troop,” said Ken Mason, assistant scoutmaster of my son’s troop in Overland, Kansas, and the father of two Eagle Scouts.

“The individual troop has a much better sense of who has a positive or negative influence on the boys,” pointed out Glenn Carney, another assistant scoutmaster and dad of two Eagle Scouts.

But making the decision locally also puts a burden on the troop — and its volunteers, Kent Bredehoeft, Scoutmaster and father of two Scouts told me. “BSA relies on volunteers, and this puts the volunteers in a difficult political situation that, without clear BSA policy, takes away their attention from delivering the BSA mission.”

He questioned what kind of support the national office will give local troops “except to say it’s your decision.” Bredehoeft added that the decision will “be a very challenging one.”

Another dad, who preferred to remain anonymous, said as long as any Scout met the requirements, including being reverent and morally straight (that phrase was used before straight had a sexual connotation), his sexual orientation didn’t matter.

Just as reaction nationally is mixed, not every parent liked the idea of a change in policy, however. “I lost my ability to advance in scouting as a young man because of a scoutmaster who was a pedophile,” one dad wrote me in an email. “I am dead set against gays in scouting.”

Allowing openly gay leaders seemed tougher for some parents to accept. One mom, who prefaced her remarks with the belief that homosexuality does not equal pedophilia, still admitted she would worry about the safety of the boys.

“Most of BSA’s constituent parents view this as a safety issue more than a moral issue,” another dad wrote in an email. “I think BSA thinks the notion continues to exist among parents of elementary school age boys, making the decision whether to let their sons join an organization where there will be lots of overnight trips to isolated locations, in the company of relatively few adult leaders, that their sons are more at risk of being molested if those leaders include homosexuals.”

Certainly the reputation of Boy Scouts has been tarnished with reports of molestations and the court-ordered release of secret files, also referred to as the “perversion files,” that listed names of suspected child molesters. BSA has worked hard to protect boys in recent years; since 1987, two-deep leadership has been instituted (which, if followed, protects both boys and adult leaders). Any adult member of Boy Scouts is required to update Youth Protection Training every two years. And any evidence of sexual abuse of a Scout must be reported to the local police.

I hope the issue of allowing gays does not end up destroying the organization. As the mom of a 15-year-old who’s been involved in Scouting since kindergarten, I’ve seen the positive side of Boy Scouts. I’ve seen him develop responsibility and leadership skills. I’ve seen other boys grow and mature.

I asked some of the older Scouts in the troop what they thought of the possible change in policy; they didn’t see a problem. One Eagle Scout bluntly put it, “It’s [anti-gay policy] ridiculous….It’s terribly sad to see limited opportunities for others because of stupid and absurd reasons.”

Another Eagle Scout didn’t think sexual orientation should prevent anyone from the benefits of the Scouting experience, including obtaining his Eagle. But he also wondered how many churches across the country would revoke charters to an organization that allowed an openly gay leader.

One dad who sent me an email summed it up well, I thought, using the Boy Scout Law:    ” ‘Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.’  Don’t see anything in there that excludes gays.”

“The Washington Post”

Diana Reese is a freelance journalist in Overland Park, Kan. and the mom of a Boy Scout who’s working on his Eagle rank. Follow her on Twitter at @dianareese.

 "Newsweek" cover - May 21, 2012

I find the national dialog on homosexuality and gay rights in this country to be of some interest as it has tried to pattern itself after other civil rights movements in the past.  What I find to be of real interest though is the dual level at which the Gay Rights movement portrays it self.  The persona of homosexuals in the media and entertainment is quite different from the real life version of these people. 

Because of the true life style of homosexuals the media has softened its approach to be in good tastes because things like this are just not talked about in polite society.  It’s just not good prime time television.  The Noodleman group has no problems in speaking frankly on these issues.  The homosexual is not completely exposed for his perverse, deviant and unhealthy sexual habits in the media so be prepared for some explicit descriptions in the reminder of the article.

Now I’ll be the first to tell you that what two consenting adults do of in the privacy of their bedroom is their business and there’s a lone.  This is exactly where these matters should be kept – just outside the closet!  For me, speaking about ones sexual behavior in most social settings is inappropriate no matter what the sexual orientation, straight or gay.   

For the record that there is a difference between Homosexual men and Lesbians.  This article excludes lesbians because their sexual behavior is significantly different.  At this point I would like to state that although Lesbians and Homosexuals may march and demonstrate in public for "Gay Rights" the two groups don't generally as a rule socialize with each other.  Lesbians are afraid of AIDS and the HIV virus and want to keep it out of their community.  Even women who are Bisexual are looked upon with suspicion.

The question of Homosexuals has perplexed human kind throughout the ages.  Even the professional PhD.'s don't have a clear answer as to why a small percentage of men deviate from Heterosexual behavior.  Sigmund Freud considered by many to be the father of modern Psychoanalysis would trace many human behavioral problems to early childhood experiences with poor parenting.  It has been my observation that Homosexuality occurs from a slight maladjustment in maturity connected with Heterosexual development.

Growing up can be an awkward experience for children in their adolescent years in so many ways.  Their bodies and minds undergo significant changes.  Hormonal development, physical growth and mental development all seem to happen at once and parents need to be ready to assist the child in the proper advice and adjustments the child is needing to make at this stage in their lives.  

Parents need to have quick and frank information and answers for the child no matter what the issues.  This is no time for the parent to be shocked, confused or even ashamed.  This is the time when parenting needs to be at its very best.  Adults have the answers their children need and are searching for.  Remember above all; parents need to be intuitive to the problems their children are experiencing.  Children can not always express themselves or their issues clearly.  Much like infancy, the parents must interpret what the cry's and bad behavior of their child indicate.  This is no time for the parent to be timid or shrink away from the sexual problems of childhood.

The sexual behavior between Homosexual men is highly dangerous for many health reasons.  First of all; anal intercourse through the rectum can lead to all kinds of health problems, especially in later years and is inherently a filthy practice since it involves the inducement of the feces matter during the act of the so called intercourse.  DON’T DO IT !  No matter the precautions taken in advance or afterwards are; this is a dirty, filthy, nasty, vulgar and discussing practice and should be avoided.  With regards to oral sex between boys:  this activity can quickly lead to anal sex.  Even if this sexual behavior is between a man and a woman this advice is the same – DON’T DO IT !   

Rape is an issue which needs to be introduced at this juncture; I call it male on male rape.  Rape is assault and punishable under the law but it is very hard to prove in Court and prosecute in our legal system.  Boys and young men need to be guarded from Homosexuals during their formative years until they are old enough and have matured sufficiently to protect themselves.

Secondly;  health problems caused by Homosexual behavior can lead to the contraction of the disease AIDS causing illness and eventually death not to mention other STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases).  If you have been Homosexually active you should be tested immediately for the HIV virus and take the appropriate precautions.  Best advice – DON’T DO IT !  However if you want to be a fool, at least use condoms.  The following is a more detailed explanation of the dangers associated with anal intercourse from Wikipedia.com:

Get the message?  Keep it "water tight" just like a bull frog!

 

Anal sex From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Health risks

Anal sex can expose participants to two principal dangers: infections due to the high number of infectious microorganisms not found elsewhere on the body, and physical damage to the anus and the rectum due to their fragility. Increased experimentation with anal sex by people without sound knowledge about risks and what safety measures do and don't work may be linked to an increase in sexually transmitted infections. Judy Kuriansky, a Columbia University professor and author, stated, "It really is shocking how many myths young people have about anal sex. They don't think you can get a disease from it because you're not having [vaginal] intercourse."

 

Infection

 Mucous membranes of the rectum.

Unprotected anal sex, colloquially known as "barebacking" carries an elevated risk of passing on sexually transmitted diseases because the anal sphincter is delicate, easily-torn tissue; a tear can provide an entry for pathogens. The high concentration of white blood cells around the rectum, together with the risk of tearing and the rectum's function to absorb fluid, places those who engage in unprotected anal sex at high risk of sexually transmitted infection. Use of condoms, ample lubrication to reduce the risk of tearing, and other safer sex practices reduce the risk. However, a condom can break or come off during anal sex, so both sex partners must remain watchful during sex and there is still some risk if one or both partners carries a sexually-transmissible infection.

Unprotected receptive anal sex is considered the sex act most likely to result in HIV transmission. Other infections that can be transmitted by unprotected anal sex are human papilloma virus (HPV) (which can increase risk of anal cancer and typhoid fever), amoebiasis; chlamydia; cryptosporidiosis; E. coli infections; giardiasis; gonorrhea; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; herpes simplex; Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (HHV-8) lymphogranuloma venereum; Mycoplasma hominis; Mycoplasma genitalium; pubic lice; salmonellosis; shigella; syphilis; tuberculosis; and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

 

Cancer

Anal cancer is relatively rare, accounting for about 1 percent of gastrointestinal malignancies, but as many as 4,000 new cases can be diagnosed within a year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Most cases of anal cancer are related to infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). Anal sex alone does not cause anal cancer; the risk of anal cancer through anal sex is attributed to HPV infection, which is often contracted through unprotected anal sex. The incidence of the disease has jumped 160% in men and 78% in women in the last thirty years, according to a 2004 American study. The increase is attributed to changing trends in sexual behavior (such as a history of multiple sex partners, fifteen or more, or receptive anal sex) and smoking. If a current smoker, there is a fourfold increase in risk, though independent of other behavioral risk factors, such as sexual activity. Receptive anal sex increases the incidence sevenfold. Among the female control group studied, 21.5 percent had reported practicing anal sex, a significant increase from a previous case-control study by epidemiologist Janet Daling (PhD, member of Fred Hutchinson's Public Health Sciences Division) and her colleagues, published in 1987, in which 11 percent of female controls had reported ever having anal sex. This and other studies also indicate that gay or bisexual sex among men is on the rise, which may account for the increase in anal cancer. "The sharpest increase was among African American men, whose incidence of anal cancer has more than doubled in the past three decades. Black men also had a lower survival rate from the disease." The study reported that the five-year survival rate for black men with early stage disease was 62 percent as compared to 79 percent for white men with localized cancer. However, the survey also reported that black men were more likely than white men to report having had intercourse with another male in the last year. Regarding all the increases, whether or not sexual practices have changed, Daling, concluded, "[I]t also could be that people are just more likely to discuss their sexual behavior these days".

 

Physical damage

Physical damage to the rectum and anus can manifest as generalized ano-rectal trauma, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, and exacerbating hemorrhoids. Adequate lubrication and preparation reduces the risk of physical trauma,^[104] while the risk increases with use of alcohol or other drugs that dull sensitivity.

Loss of bowel control is not a highly likely result of anal sex, but may be caused by repeated injury or the insertion of large objects. Kegel exercises have been recommended to maintain muscle tone by a speaker at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and the American Association of Sex Educators, who noted he had never personally observed "loosening" in any of his patients.

A 1993 study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that fourteen out of a sample of forty men receiving anal intercourse experienced episodes of frequent anal incontinence. However, a 1997 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found no difference in levels of incontinence between homosexual men who engaged in anal sex and heterosexual men who did not, and criticized the earlier study for its inclusion of flatulence in its definition of incontinence.

"Wikipedia"

Parents protecting and educating their children from
and about sexual predators.

Parents need to be more aware than ever concerning the well being for their children.  Homosexuals can be very dangerous sexual  predators and perverts!  Now it would seem that we have to beware or the perverts and predators in the government and Washington.  More than ever these days revelations have exposed Teachers in the public schools and religious leaders and Priests in Churches who are corrupt and unfit to serve in these institutions. 

 Bullies,  sexual perverts and predators are everywhere - the Internet, the streets,

schools, religious institutions and now we are finding them in government.

Unfortunately sometimes, they can even be found in the home itself.

Children need any and all the help and protection they can find.

Gay troop leaders are not needed in the Boy Scouts of America.  They are unfit to lead young men.  It's just that simple!  What about gay boys themselves?  Should they be allowed to be Scouts?  I believe that answer would be yes unless they are becoming sexually active with other boys.  At this juncture it may become necessary for the troop to be separated from the gay youth.

In conclusion; I wanted to include this article about Norman Rockwell and his art portraying young men, the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) because it is so reminiscent of the sterling image associated with this organization for so many years.  It would seem to me that. “when you’ve got a good thing going you don’t mess with it”.

Rockwell Images to "Be Prepared" for Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary

“New Jersey.com”

 

 

Beyond the Easel, self-portrait by Norman Rockwell with Boy Scouts for the 1969 Boy Scouts of America calendar. On February 8, 2010 the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate their 100th anniversary.

WASHINGTON, DC — American illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was sometimes referred to as “Mr. Scouting” for his long association with the Boy Scouts of America. It all began one day in the fall of 1912, when 18-year-old art student Rockwell walked into the offices of Boy's Life (the Boy Scouts' magazine) looking for work, thus beginning a 60-year relationship between them.

On February 8, 2010 the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate their 100th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, artist Joseph Csatari and his son Jeff have compiled Norman Rockwell’s Boy Scouts of America, a book including 50 of Rockwell’s oil paintings and 37 of Csatari’s illustrations.

Every year but two from 1925 through 1976, Norman Rockwell did a painting for the annual Boy Scout calendar published by Brown & Bigelow. For eight years, Csatari worked with his mentor Norman Rockwell before taking over as the official artist of the Boy Scouts of America (after Rockwell retired in 1976).

"Joe has taken the rich tradition started by Norman Rockwell and made it his own," said Bob Mazzuca, chief executive of the Boy Scouts of America. "Rockwell’s illustrations gave you a snapshot in time — you wanted to be part of the images he created. Csatari’s work (also) makes you feel like you are part of the picture."

Most of Csatari's Boy Scout paintings hang in the National Scouting Museum in Irvington, Texas, alongside Rockwell’s 50 Scout paintings. In celebration of the 100th anniversary, one of Csatari’s paintings will be unveiled at a gala event Feb. 9 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Csatari says he owes it all to Rockwell, who insisted that his protégé call him Norman."He was laid back and he was just a very kind and gentle person," Csatari said. "You did not know you were with celebrity when you were with him."

In 1939 Rockwell was honored with the highest award given by the Boy Scouts of America, the Silver Buffalo, presented before an audience of 3,000 people at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

“New Jersey.com”




Gay Rights, Religion, and  Marriage

Another issue has surfaced this month concerning Gays which I would write a few words.  The following article appeared this month from the "New York Times".  While it is a decision for each Church and Temple concerning it's doctrine and worship customs, many do not consider the gay life style acceptable in the sight of God.  The United States Constitution is very clear on the relationship between Church and State - a separation shall exist between the two.  The Bill of Rights also guarantees the "Freedom of Religion" in the religious clauses of the first amendment.  In my opinion the government is beginning to exceed its authority in this area and this should be unacceptable to all Americans.

First Amendment To the US Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Washington National Cathedral Announces

It Will Hold Same-Sex Weddings

 "The New York Times"

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN  Published: January 9, 2013

The Washington National Cathedral, the nation’s traditional host of prayer services for presidents and memorial services for national tragedies, announced on Wednesday that it would now also hold weddings for same-sex couples. 

The Very Rev. Gary Hall, the dean of the

Washington National Cathedral, said

marriage was a tool for living a faithful life.

Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times

The cathedral, a neo-Gothic landmark in northwest Washington, is the seat of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and the Washington Diocese. Episcopalians voted at their convention last summer to authorize an official liturgy for blessing same-sex unions, bringing the church in line with other liberal Christian and Jewish denominations that sanction gay marriage.

The cathedral’s decision is not surprising for a denomination that has paid a price for its stance. The Episcopal Church shed members and set off an uproar in the international Anglican Communion to which it belongs by consecrating its first openly gay bishop in 2003.

But the cathedral’s step carries weight because of its historic role as the nation’s unofficial capitol of worship, where Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan were eulogized, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his last Sunday sermon and where the nation mourned the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Later this month, the cathedral will host the second inaugural prayer service for President Obama.

The cathedral’s dean, the Very Rev. Gary Hall, said: “We have a lot of gay and lesbian Christians. What the National Cathedral is saying by doing this is we want to give faithful lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender people the same tools for living their lives faithfully that straight people have always had, and marriage is one of those tools. This comes out of even more of a theological understanding, for me, than it does out of a political agenda.”

Nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized marriage for gay couples. Not all Episcopal bishops have allowed priests to bless same-sex unions, but the bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, who oversees parishes in the district and parts of Maryland, recently allowed such unions after Maryland’s voters approved gay marriage in November.

Bishops in five dioceses and priests in at least 100 parishes have broken from the Episcopal Church since it consecrated its first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson recently retired. According to the church’s headquarters in New York, membership has held steady at 2.2 million, though others say membership has declined.

The Washington National Cathedral has about one thousand regular congregants and many more visitors who attend Sunday services. Dean Hall said that the cathedral marries only couples who are congregants, volunteers, donors or graduates of the cathedral’s schools, but that there are no gay couples yet “in the pipeline.”

Three years ago, before there was an officially sanctioned rite, the cathedral held a private wedding ceremony for a gay couple on its staff that was presided over by John Chane, the previous Bishop of Washington, a cathedral spokesman said. Dean Hall said members of the selection committee that interviewed him last year made it clear that they wanted the cathedral to bless same-sex marriages. 

"The New York Times"



GAY  STATISTICS
 
The Democrats in Washington have begun to actively advocate on behalf of Gays in America having been convinced by Gay leaders that these people are being discriminated against some how.  Gays feel they should allowed equal rights under the law concerning marriage.  To me this is one of the most ridiculous claims I've ever heard in my life for several reasons.  

I won't deny there are some Gay couples who are very much in love with their "significant other" how ever, most Gay persons I've been acquainted with are highly unfaithful in their relationships and change their "significant others" on a regular basis.  Secondly there is the question of children -  or is there?  They don't have any!  Thirdly there is the question of common property?  Again there is usually no common property!  So what is the big deal about being married?  It's really a question only a fool would entertain.  

The Democrats are really pushing the boundaries of good judgment and taste.  It's an Issue - non issue.  What appears to be discrimination is really a sham when we examine the facts.   Gay marriage is a fools issue.  What color is the sun in their world and can you get four quarters for a dollar there?  I asked myself, just how many of these people are there in this country and found the numbers very small indeed.  The following article from About.com reveals the population statistics of Gays in America which is followed by a second article from PFLAG Phoenix with other statistics:

  
Gay Population Statistics  
How Many Gay People Are There?

By Ramon Johnson, About.com Guide

About.com

How many gay people are there in the United States?
 
The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, a sexual orientation law and public policy think tank, estimates that 9 million (about 3.8%) of Americans identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (2011). The institute also found that bisexuals make up 1.8% of the population, while 1.7% are gay or lesbian. Transgender adults make up 0.3% of the population.

Why is this number an estimate?
 
The number of LGBT persons in the U.S. is subjective. Studies pointing to the statistics are estimates at best. The most widely accepted statistic is that 1 in ever 10 individuals is LGBT; however some research estimates 1 in 20. Of course, this all depends on one's definition of gay (which may vary by study) and the participants willingness to identify as gay, bi, lesbian or transgender. So, why can't the actual number of GLB people be counted? There are many things to consider when trying to count the number of GLBT persons.

What do the experts say?
 
When asked about GLB population statistics, Gary J. Gates, a Senior Research Fellow at The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, says:

"That's the single question that I'm asked the most. The answer is unfortunately not simple. I'll respond with a question. What do you mean when you use the word 'gay'? If you mean people who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual in a survey, then the answer is that it's likely not one in ten, but closer to one in twenty. A recent government survey found that 4 percent of adults aged 18-45 identified as 'homosexual' or 'bisexual.' A similar proportion of voters identify as GLB. If you define gay as having same-sex attractions or behaviors, you do get higher proportions that are a bit closer to the one in ten figure." 

About.com

Today's Gay Youth: The Ugly, Frightening Statistics

PFLAF Phoenix.org

 

Still think that people CHOOSE to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? After reading the following sobering statistics, ask yourself this: What SANE person would CHOOSE to be subjected to all this?!
SUICIDE & DEPRESSION {Note: Numbers appearing in parentheses "( )" at the end of each statement denote the source of that information. All sources are listed at the bottom of this page.]

• Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay and lesbian youth. (1)
  
• Gay and lesbian youth are 2 to 6 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth. (1)
  
• Over 30% of all reported teen suicides each year are committed by gay and lesbian youth. (1)
  

REJECTION

• 50% of all gay and lesbian youth report that their parents reject them due to their sexual orientation. (2)
  
• 26% of gay and lesbian youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts over their sexual orientation. (1)
  
• In a study of 194 gay and lesbian youth, 25% were verbally abused by parents, and nearly 10% dealt with threatened or actual violence. (12)
  

HOMELESSNESS

• Approximately 40% of homeless youth are identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual. (3)
  
• Service providers estimate that gay, lesbian and bisexual youth make up 20-40% of homeless youth in urban areas. (18)
  
• In a study of male teenagers self-described as gay or bisexual, 27% moved away from home because of conflict with family members over sexual orientation. Almost half had run away from home at least once. (2)
  

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

• Gays and lesbians are at much higher risk than the heterosexual population for alcohol and drug abuse. (1)
  
• Approximately 30% of both the lesbian and gay male populations have problems with alcohol. (1)
  
• Substantially higher proportions of homosexual people use alcohol, marijuana or cocaine than is the case in the general population. (6)
  
• 55% of gay men have had a substance abuse problem sometime in their life. (10)
  

HIGH DROP OUT RATES

• Approximately 28% of gay and lesbian youth drop out of high school because of discomfort (due to verbal and physical abuse) in the school environment. (2)
  
• Gay and lesbian youth’s discomfort stems from fear of name calling and physical harm. (4)
  
• Gay and lesbian youth are at greater risk for school failure than heterosexual children. Academic failure, lack of student involvement and low commitment to school are profound for gay and lesbian youth because schools are neither safe, healthy nor productive places for them to learn. (1)
  

VERBAL & PHYSICAL ASSAULTS

• Teenage students (gay AND straight) say the worst harassment in school is being called ‘gay’. (11)
  
• In a national survey, youth (gay AND straight) described being called “lesbian” or “gay” as the most deeply upsetting form of sexual harassment they experienced. (14)
  
• Gay students hear anti-gay slurs as often as 26 times each day; faculty intervention occurs in only about 3% of those cases. (9)
  
• In Seattle, 34% of students who described themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported being the target of anti-gay harassment or violence at school or on the way to or from school, compared to 6% of heterosexual students. (16)
  
• Gay and lesbian youth live, work and attempt to learn in constant fear of physical harm at school. (4)
  
• 27% of gay and lesbian youth have been physically hurt by another student. (12)
  
• In 53 schools in Washington State, 77 incidents of anti-gay harassment and violence have been reported in the past 3 years, with 34 of these incidents (44%) serious enough to warrant possible criminal allegations. (15)
  

LACK OF SUPPORT

• Few administrators discipline students for name-calling and harassment of gay and lesbian students. (5)
  
• Teachers may wish to stop harassment and anti-gay comments, but few have had any specific training which would teach them to intervene effectively and many fear reprisals without the explicit support and backing of their administration. (5)
  
• In Michigan, 28% of school personnel surveyed determined their school environment to be emotionally unsafe for gay and lesbian youth. (17)
  
• Over 50% of national youth servicing organizations report that they do not have services or resources in place to educate youth on sexual orientation or to support gay and lesbian youth. (13)
  

LACK OF ROLE MODELS

• There are very few openly gay staff members or teachers in schools. (5)
  
• The presence of openly gay and/or lesbian staff members is a crucial component of any school program seeking to reduce bigotry and provide support for gay and lesbian students. (5)
  

VICTIMS OF CRIME

• Gays and lesbians are the most frequent victims of hate crimes. (7)
  
• Gays and lesbians are at least 7 times more likely to be crime victims than heterosexual people. (7)
  
• At least 75% of crimes against gays and lesbians are not reported to anyone. (8)
  
• In a study of 5 metropolitan areas (including Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, and San Francisco), there were 1,833 [reported) incidents of anti-gay and anti-lesbian crimes, which was a 31% increase over the previous year. (8)
  

WHY SHOULD THIS ISSUE BE TALKED ABOUT IN SCHOOLS?

• In a typical class of 30 students, 8 students (27% of the class) will be directly affected by homosexuality of self, one or more siblings, or one or both parents. (10)
  

• 12/06/10: Gay teens get harsher punishments than straight, study finds

AND PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE THAT OUR LOVED ONES

CHOOSE TO BE GAY . . .

ARE THEY NUTS?!?

Sources:

1.	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide: Gay Male and Lesbian Youth Suicide.” (1989)
2.	Remafedi, Gary. (1987). "Male Homosexuality: The Adolescent's Perspective." Pediatrics, Issue 79. pp. 326-337.
3.	Seattle Commission on Children and Youth. (1986). "Survey of Street Youth." Seattle, WA: Orion Center.
4.	Eversole, T. "Addressing Specific Risk Factors Among Lesbians and Gays.' Counseling Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth Training Manual. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
5.	Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth. (1993). "Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth: Breaking the Silence in Schools and in Families." Education Report. Boston, MA.
6.	McKirnan, D. J. & Peterson, P. L. (1989). 'Alcohol and Drug Use Among Homosexual Men and Women: Epidemiology and Population Characteristics." Addictive Behaviors, 14 (5). pp. 545-553.
7.	SIECUS Fact Sheet on Comprehensive Sexuality Education. (February/March 1993). "Sexual Orientation and Identity.” SIECUS Report.
8.	National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute Report. (1991). Washington, DC.
9.	Massachusetts Department of Education Survey, 1997
10.	“Breaking the Silence for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth.” (1996) New Hartford, NY.
11.	Harris/Scholastic Research, ‘Hostile Hallways: AAUW Survey of Sexual Harassment in America’s Schools” (1993)
12.	Anthony D'Augelli, unpublished study, 1997. Studied 194 lesbian, gay and bisexual youth aged 14 to 21 attending social and support groups in fourteen metropolitan areas.
13.	Advocates for Youth. Survey and Needs Assessment of Youth Serving Organizations Capacity for Working with Sexual Minority Youth, March 1995.
14.	American Association of University Women, 1993. A total of 1,632 field surveys were completed by public school students grades 8- 11, in 79 schools across the U.S.
15.	Safe Schools Anti-Violence Documentation Project, Washington State. Third Annual Report, 1996.
16.	The 1995 Seattle Teen Health Risk Survey. Over 8,400 Seattle high school students completed the survey.
17.	1997 survey of 300 superintendents, school counselors and psychologists in public and private schools in five Michigan counties, conducted by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Teacher's Network.
18.	The National Network of Runaway and Youth Services. To Whom Do They Belong?: Runaway, Homeless and Other Youth in High-Risk Situations in the 1990's. Washington, DC. The National Network, 1991.

 PFLAG Phoenix.org

 

I hope this article will be of help for those who may be dealing with the issues of Homosexuality.  Gays are very deceptive and often twist their agenda to format and fit other civil rights struggles.  However; when all the cards are on the table it becomes evident that the issues are the same as they always have been.  Homosexuals are only baiting us to play their game, so don't be deceived.  What is good for the few is in very bad taste for the many!  I'm Felicity for the Noodleman group.

I don't think I like riding in Barak Obama's car!

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