(More information on this 2005 Time article at the end of the post)
Whenever I see photos or movies with young homosexuals, I am always struck by the lost look in their eyes. This existential angst also has subtle narcissistic qualities about it, that underlines their introverted, self-pitying gaze. It is not surprising that suicide, a violent and aggressive decision, is highest amongst adolescent homosexuals.
In the post Reclaiming One's Rights!, Tiberge, who sent in the article along with her comments wrote:
There was an interesting article a while back about a 7th century church that was unearthed in Paris. I thought of you. I said to myself that the church was reclaiming its existence after being hidden for 1400 years. In addition, it was unearthed on the site of the Paris police headquarters, something that aroused much humor among the anti-gay protesters who had been arrested or molested on that very site. Talk of reclaiming one's rights! I did not do a post, but I'm sending the link in case you decide to write about this. I wonder what other marvels are slumbering beneath Paris streets.She asked me to make the following correction.
Instead of "Anti-gay protesters," it should be: "anti-gay marriage protesters".
Explaining this, Tiberge continues:
The reason is that these protesters were not anti-gay. They held no grudge against gays as people. They were against gay marriage and adoption. That is what all the demonstrations were about.We have entered the nuanced and complex world of homosexuals.
Tiberge, and the protesters, are being generous. I am less so.
We should hold animosity toward homosexuals as individuals. Not a grudge, but a clear rejection of the lives they lead. They as individuals have made the choice, however much they say they have no choice in the matter, to lead lives contrary to the majority of people on earth. And many homosexuals, even the passive ones who appear to just be living their lives quietly, are activists. All, in one way or another, advocate their way of life, and aim to add "members" to their "community."
The quotes below are by the lesbian Camille Paglia, the least "invasive" of homosexuals, but who nonetheless, by her very choice of her way of life, is one of the advocates of homosexuality that she abhorrs. The quotes are coherently put together by Albert Dean Byrd in this article he co-authored. Albert Dean Byrd was a former president of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality.
"Homosexuality is not 'normal.' On the contrary it is a challenge to the norm...Nature exists whether academics like it or not. And in nature, procreation is the single relentless rule. That is the norm. Our sexual bodies were designed for reproduction...No one is born gay. The idea is ridiculous...homosexuality is an adaptation, not an inborn trait.....The tragedy of the homosexual movement is that I think it is convincing (coercing) more and more young boys to follow its lead. All of modern media in some way or other accept homosexuality, don't question its premises, goals and inaccuracies, and give it a green light to proceed undisturbed in its quest to add more members. Vulnerable young boys, whatever the cause and root of their vulnerability, are an easy target. And once they are in the enclaves of homosexuality, which I think is stronger than alcohol or tobacco addiction since it involves the affection of another human being, it is much harder for them to get out.
"Is the gay identity so fragile that it cannot bear the thought that some people may not wish to be gay? Sexuality is highly fluid, and reversals are theoretically possible. However, habit is refractory, once the sensory pathways have been blazed and deepened by repetition-a phenomenon obvious in the struggle with obesity, smoking, alcoholism or drug addiction....helping gays to learn to function heterosexually, if they wish, is a perfectly worthy aim.
"We should be honest enough to consider whether homosexuality may not indeed be a pause a the prepubescent stage where children anxiously band together by gender....current gay cant insists that homosexuality is 'not a choice,' that no one would choose to be gay in a homophobic society. But there is an element of choice in all behavior, sexual or otherwise. It takes an effort to deal with the opposite sex; it is safer with your own kind. The issue is one of challenge versus comfort." (Paglia, C. Vamps and Tramps. New York: Vintage Books. 1994, pp. 70, 72, 76, 77, 78, 91).
Paglia's Vamps and Tramps is well worth reading. She has a few chapters on homosexuality, and here is an excerpt from the chapter Rebel Love: Homosexuality:
Homosexuality may be the key to understanding the whole of human sexuality. No subject cuts in so many directions into psychology, sociology, history, and morality. The incidence, as well as visibility, of homosexuality has certainly increased in the Western world in the past twenty-five years. But discussion of it rapidly became over politicized after the Stonewall rebellion of 1969, which began the gay liberation movement. Viewpoints polarized: people were labeled pro-gay or anti-gay, with little room in between. For the past decade, the situation has been out of control: responsible scholarship is impossible when rational discourse is being policed by storm troopers, in this case gay activists, who have the absolutism of all fanatics in claiming sole access to the truth.” (Paglia, Vamps and Tramps, p. 67)
[Note: My bold emphasis. Vamps and Tramps was published in 1994, and I suspect that the incidence, as well as visibility, of homosexuality has increased even more, now another twenty years later.]
The collage above from Time magazine refers to an article by John Cloud, a homosexual. Here is what NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) says about John Cloud, and his article "The Battle Over Gay Teens":
October 6, 2005 - Time magazine's cover story for October 10, 2005 is "The Battle Over Gay Teens" by gay journalist John Cloud. The author's sexual orientation and background as an advocate for gay affirmative reporting* is not mentioned in the article.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cloud describes the growing strength of gay teen groups on high campuses known as Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). According to Cloud (using numbers supplied by GLSEN) the number of GSAs has grown from 100 to 3000 in eight years.
Kevin Jennings, head of GLSEN told Cloud: "We're gonna win because of what's happening in high schools right now ... this is the generation that gets it." According to Cloud, the popular media is helping teens who believe they are gay to openly express their homosexual attractions without the "loneliness and longing that characterized the childhoods of so many gay adults."
Cloud notes that gay teens can now watch fictional and real teens who have come out on shows like "Desperate Housewives," the dating show "Next" on MTV and "Degrassi" high school. A glossy magazine, YGA is also available to help young gay teens affirm their sexual orientation.
Cloud quotes Dr. Ritch Savin-Williams, author of The New Gay Teenager, who claims that few gay teens want to change their sexual orientation. According to Savin-Williams, an average of only 13% of gay teens want to become straight.
Exodus International's Youth outreach is briefly covered by Cloud, but he says, "A lot of Exodus youths seemed captives of their Christianity, caught in a hermetic loop of lust and gay sex (or masturbation) followed by confession and grim determination."
Cloud appeared on "The O'Reilly Factor" on Oct. 4 to discuss his cover story with Bill O'Reilly. He told the talk show host, "... I don't think they're coming out as a political act, and that's also new for these kids. I think they're coming out because it is who they are, and they don't want to hide in the closet. They see no reason to hide. So - but the politics - the gay - you know, a lot of these kids aren't necessarily interested in gay politics culture as gay activists have formed it."
NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) Scientific Advisory Committee member Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons sent a letter of concern to Time magazine over John Cloud's article. His letter is reprinted below:The Time writer of the gay teen article and the president of the APA have done a serious disservice to teens, their parents and educators by ignoring the well designed research studies on suicide and mental illness in those with same sex attractions.
Two well designed major studies of young people with same sex attractions published in the Archives of General Psychiatry revealed they were over 6 times as likely to have attempted suicide, 4 times as likely as their peers to suffer major depression, almost three times as likely to suffer generalized anxiety disorder, nearly 4 times as likely to experience conduct disorder, 5 times as likely to have nicotine dependence, 6 times as likely to suffer multiple disorders.
Teenagers have the right to know the truth and should be given informed consent by doctors, school psychologists and counselors, educators and parents as to the serious emotional, mental and physical illnesses associated with the homosexual lifestyle.
Rick Fitzgibbons, M.D.
100 Four Falls Center, Suite 312
W. Conshohocken, PA 19428
610-397-0950
Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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