Homosexual youths miss out on advice about selves

Letter to the editor
June 21, 2005

In his June 7 letter, James Urda says that heterosexual relationships last longer than gay ones. But he neglects the circularity in his argument: from the earliest age at which a person recognizes their homosexuality, they receive little or no guidance - no sex education and few role models.

Whereas young heterosexual teenagers are told about safe sex methods or to abstain until marriage, homosexual teens are largely ignored.They are not told to abstain until marriage because marriage is not a viable option for them. They are not told to practice safe sex because sex education programs typically target heterosexual teenagers. They don't learn the value of long-term relationships because society marginalizes their love by denying it equivalent status of its heterosexual counterpart.

Stable homosexual couples are often reticent to be more outgoing in their communities for fear of hatred and bias. Homosexual teens cannot look to them for guidance, and this only perpetuates the problem. Because gay marriage is denied and educational programs don't address homosexual issues, gays grow up uninformed about long-term relationships and safe sex practices.

Aside from doubting the veracity and intentions of Timothy J. Dailey and his study, the study's findings are based on the most tenuous of grounds: a circular, self-fulfilling argument. Furthermore, Dailey works for the Family Research Council, an anti-gay conservative interest group. Most of his work consists of studies that attempt to marginalize and trivialize gays and their relationships. His research cannot be considered objective.

And this being the "experts" that so many of the religious/religious right listen to; no wonder there are so many problems in this part of society. I have met and seen plenty of long term relationships in the GLBT community. Time to get rid off the fake EXPERTS !