Commenting

Since this has become an issue again, please read this blog's policy on commenting before leaving remarks. As a reminder, unsigned comments will not be published.

Gay teens treated as humans by their families less likely to commit suicide

For years, religious fundamentalists in this country have contended that the fact that suicide and drug use were relatively higher among gay teenagers is "proof" that homosexuality is some sort of mental illness.

New research reveals the rather unsurprising finding that gay children whose parents are accepting of them are far less likely to commit suicide, fall into depression, have unprotected sex or become drug addicts. The risk of such problems is also dramatically lower for kids whose parents don't force them into a bogus 'cure' for their non-illness. Notably, research found that these kids had fewer problems even if members of their family were mildly uncomfortable with their sexual orientation, just so long as they weren't belligerently abusive.

Researchers found experienced high levels of rejection were nearly 8.5 times more likely to have attempted suicide. They were nearly six times more likely to report high levels of depression and almost 3.5 times more likely to use illegal drugs or engage in unprotected sex. That was compared with adolescents whose families may have felt uncomfortable with a gay kid, but were neutral or only mildly rejecting.

So basically, scientists found that kids who are treated by their families as human beings, rather than human garbage, do better in life.

It's sad that this will come as news to some people.

The Pope's vile bigotry

People wonder why the Catholic Church is hemorrhaging both practicing members and clergy. Certainly, the Church's steadfast protection of pedophile priests severely tarnished its reputation in many western countries. Another part of it is that while the world and its inhabitants are entering the 21st century, the Vatican is stuck in the 17th.

Most recently, the Church's leader, Pope Benedict XVI, actually said that saving humanity from homosexual and transexual behavior was as important as protecting the environment.

I understand the Church continues to follow ancient Jewish law that stipulates that both sex and marriage should be done strictly for pro-creation. Got that all you childless married couples out there!

To be say that non-heterosexual behavior was a threat to humanity is both absurd and vile.

I am just one example of someone who was born, raised and confirmed as a Catholic but has consciously after much reflection (not accidentally or because of laziness) stopped practicing because of the Church's moral decrepitude. If you're a man who has consensual sex with another man, you're a threat to humanity. But if you're a man who rapes a young boy, you merit protection. This has been the Church's de facto stance for some time.

The Pope even said that words like gender identity and sexual orientation "create serious uncertainty in the law."

Worse yet were his pathetic weasel words at the end lamely trying to defuse the inevitable controversy. He said that of course "unjust discrimination" against gays should be avoid.

But if gays are the serious threat to humanity that Benedict claims, then shouldn't this threat be eradicated at all costs? What sort of punishment or restriction can possibly be unjust against something as serious as a threat to humanity?

Thanks for your warm inclusiveness this holiday season, Mr. Ratzinger.

Tis the season to share

NPR's All Things Considered had an interesting piece on e-charity. Organizations are becoming more creative and interactive in how they solicit donations. Given that helping those in need is an oft stated objective during the holiday season, here are some suggestions.

DonorsChoose.org is a site where you can help provide teachers with resources for projects that would otherwise be unavailable. According to the site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

The American Cancer Society maintains an interactive, multimedia site called SharingHope.tv.

One of the more intriguing sites is called Kiva.org. Many of you have probably heard of the concept of microfinancing, the founder of which, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was awarded the most recent Nobel Peace Prize. Kiva is a site that allows you to fund a microlending project by choosing it directly. It's kind of like sponsoring a child, except you're sponsoring a business. And they pay you the money back, within 6-12 months. (Microlending repayment rates are over 99 pct., significantly higher than the repayment rate to commercial banks). And due to the nature of microlending, you don't have to put forth much money.



And of course, here's a pitch for a few local charities I support...
-Glens Falls Area Youth Center.
-Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.
-Warren/Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition.
-Family Service Association

iBizzare

I wonder what it says that at present, the #3 and #4 most downloaded applications for iPhone are "Pull My Finger" and "iFart mobile"... especially since these are apps you have to pay for, not free ones.

Dobson-lite to speak at Obama inauguration

"They say we're disturbing the peace. But what really disturbs them is that we're disturbing the war." -Howard Zinn

So now President-elect Obama is going to have far right 'celebrity preacher' Rich Warren speak at his inauguration. This is a guy who said the main difference between him and James Dobson was tone, that Warren was nicer in pedalling his bigotry.

More annoying is how the punditocracy shamelessly praises Obama every time he gives the finger to the people who enthusiastically supported him. Every time Obama names a non-progressive to his team (pretty much every time so far), the yapping heads rave about it, saying "liberals can't have everything their own way" or "he's governing as a centrist."

I understand Obama's desire to have a balanced team and to be as inclusive as possible. It's certainly a change from the Bush strategy of giving the finger to the 49-53% of the country who didn't vote for him.

Balance is useful but where's the balance? He has conservative Democrats, corporatists, anti-abortionists, homophobes and theocrats. But where are the progressives? I understand they can't get every position, but a few? What kind of balance is it if you include everyone except your most ardent supporters?

Who knows, maybe he'll find a job in his administration for James Dobson.

I can't say I'm disappointed in him because I didn't expect much in the first place, other than him not being anti-science, anti-intellectual and hate mongering. And that's certainly an improvement but I know a lot of well-intentioned people who had high hopes for him. And I'm sure most of them will continue to give him a free pass for the next 4-8 years just because he'll be less nightmarish than the medieval regime he's replacing. But I wonder if Rick Warren is what they had in mind.

Not quite getting the concept

A few times a year, my company hands out a newsletter with tips on healthy living. I'm not sure if central human resources produces it or our insurance carrier. But you know the usual: exercise, eat right, don't sit hunched over a computer desk all day, etc.

Our company provides employees with free coffee and it subsidizes the cost of soda.

But you have to pay full price for milk and juice.

The 'p' word

"They say we're disturbing the peace. But what really disturbs them is that we're disturbing the war." -Howard Zinn

I see that President-elect Obama has named former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his agriculture secretary.

It seems like he's given a cabinet post to everyone who ran against him in the primaries no matter how briefly... except Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards.

Not coincidentally, these were his only two Democratic opponents who had the audacity to acknowledge the existence of people that were neither rich or middle class*.

(*-Sorry, I'm not allowed to say the 'p' word because it's 'class warfare')